ALBION loanee Abdallah Sima might have suffered an injury early on in his Stoke City loan, but there is still excitement from the Potters' camp ahead of his return.

The forward was signed from SK Slavia Prague on transfer deadline day and was considered a coup by the club as he was being chased by many other teams in Europe.

Sima had just had his breakthrough season in the Czech Republic, scoring 20 goals in 48 appearances for SK Slavia Prague, including a great goal against Leicester City in the Europa League.

Despite this record after signing for Albion, he was immediately loaned out to the Potters in the Championship in order to help his development ahead of an Albion return next summer.

However, since the move to the Midlands club, it has not quite worked out for the 20-year-old as he picked up an injury to his ankle after only a few appearances, which has kept him out of action for the last six Championship games.

Speaking to the Argus, football journalist Peter Smith said that the player has been a bit unlucky so far in his Stoke City career.

He said: "Three appearances so far - two from the bench and one start.

"He was a bit unfortunate with his first cameo because Stoke were almost immediately sent down to ten men, but he showed enough to be in the starting eleven in the next game, Derby County.

"He took a knock just above the ankle in the Derby game, was able to play with it at Watford but aggravated it in training. It is an awkward little spot, so he has just had to be patient.

The Argus: Abdallah Sima is on loan to Stoke City from AlbionAbdallah Sima is on loan to Stoke City from Albion

"He was full of energy and popping up everywhere in the final third, but Stoke let in a couple of soft goals, which taints the memory somewhat.

"He came off the bench in the next game, helping win away at Watford in the Carabao Cup. Fingers crossed he's back next week or not long afterwards."

Sima is closing on a return to the squad, and there is still plenty of hype from fans around the promising forward.

When asked about what the first thoughts of Sima's arrival was like in Stoke, Peter said: "Excitement. It came from the left-field but seemed like a no-lose signing that could and will hopefully add a bit of an X-factor.

"We knew a bit about him from the Europa League and that Leicester City fans had been so impressed that they fancied signing him themselves.

"He will give Stoke something different, and we are looking forward to seeing him up to full speed and how much impact he can make."