TIME is running out for Graham Dorrans to make his Albion comeback, admitted assistant manager Michael Appleton.

The influential midfielder has been ruled out for the past two months with an ankle injury and is facing an uphill struggle to feature again this season.

According to Appleton, the Scottish international is ‘ticking along nicely’ in his bid to regain full fitness, but the Baggies No.2 insists he will not be rushed back in action.

"It would be foolish of us to start rushing players back in, especially when you’ve only got five games and five crucial games remaining," he said.

"You want to be sure that every player that starts or comes on is 100 per-cent fit.

"Deep down we know that and if Graham Dorrans comes back and plays any football between now and the end of the season that would be great for everyone.

"We know that games are running out now and it’s one thing saying you’re fit and another thing saying you’re match fit.

"But if he doesn’t we’ve been playing without him for the last two months or so anyway and we’ll just get on with it.

"Hopefully we might see him before the end of the season, fingers crossed."

Dorrans was Albion’s player-of-the-year last season and was expected to play a key role in their survival bid.

But he has failed to live up to his growing reputation and has just one goal to his name.

The 23-year-old last featured in the 1-1 draw at Stoke when Roy Hogdson’s side were deep in relegation trouble.

Apart from Dorrans, Albion have a fully fit squad at present for Saturday’s visit to Tottenham.