Albion want more from Kaoru Mitoma – but were pleased with his Premier League comeback.

The Japan winger played the full game at Tottenham on his return from the Asian Cup.

He was involved in several dangerous moments and, in his first 90 minutes for almost two months, arguably got better as the game wore on.

Stand-in head coach Andrea Maldera said: “Yes, he played well but I think he can do more, especially in the first half.

“We had a doubt but we spoke with him in the morning and he said he was ready to play.

“I know Mitoma and today he had sometimes a big pause and he is not 100% physically, maybe mentally.

“But for us he is always a very important player and in the second half, better.

“He had big chances and we are happy about his match because he gave us his willingness to play.”

Maldera suggested Albion would rather have eased Mitoma back off the bench – as Tottenham did with Son Heung-min.

Joao Pedro’s absence meant they asked him to start instead.

He added: “When you have travelled and stayed one month with another team, it’s not easy – not for physical but for the mind.

“But we are happy. For us he is a very important player.”