LIGUE 1 club Angers club trainer Jean-Jacques Batum has confirmed that Albion loanee Abdallah Sima is struggling for fitness after an injury wrecked 2021/22 season.

Sima spent last season-long loan at Stoke City after joining Albion on deadline day last summer, but failed to make an impact after numerous injuries throughout the season.

The former SK Slavia Prague attacker was in pre-season training with Albion and looked to be in good shape, leading to his loan move to the French club.

The move had hoped it would help kick start his career but it appears he has already suffered a fresh setback.

Reports in France are suggesting that the attacker has picked up a hamstring injury and could be absent from action until the end of August.

Batum told Ouest France: "We know that he is coming out of a season where he has been disturbed by injuries and that it will take a little time to get him back to 100 per cent."

The report also claims that the club hope that Sima will be "operational" within three weeks.

Angers have currently won two points this season as they have drawn their first two games of the season.