West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson has revealed that Graham Dorrans is getting closer to full fitness – but will not be back in time to face Chelsea today.

The Baggies midfielder has been out of action since damaging ankle ligaments on the eve of Albion’s game against Blues some five weeks ago. He is back in training and should hopefully be back available for selection in the coming weeks.

Hodgson said: “Graham is making enormous progress.

“In fact he beat one of the physios at head tennis.

“He’s making big strides and the day he could start is approaching.

“It’s up to us now to manage him carefully and I shall be reliant what the medical staff tell me during the next weeks before making any further decisions.”

Hodgson admits that he has been frustrated by Dorrans’ unavailability.

The whole campaign has been fractured for Dorrans, with this most recent setback merely compounding the stop-start nature of his season. I have only been able to work with him for six weeks and he’s been injured for four of them,” added Hodgson.

“It’s frustrating for me and frustrating for the player as well.

“When you’re in the Premier League there aren’t many players you haven’t got an idea about but to know them you have to work with them.”