James Morrison has been keen to reward Albion's forgotten man Tammer Bany for his attitude since returning to fitness. The attacking midfielder has returned to availability after being sidelined for around four months following thigh surgery.
Bany's Long Road Back
The 22-year-old is yet to start a game for Albion almost 15 months after his £3.3 million transfer from Randers in Denmark. He has enjoyed substitute cameos against Watford and Ipswich in the last 10 days as Morrison's side rubber-stamped Championship safety.
Morrison said: "It was a risk to put him into the squad a bit earlier than I had expected but he was training really well. He is someone who is really keen to impress."
Perfect for Man-Marking Teams
Explaining his decision, Morrison added: "Preston are a man-marking team, and he's someone who can wriggle out of one-v-one situations, I thought he'd be perfect for it. I think he had the longest warm-up I'd seen in football - he was desperate to get on! But I put him on against Watford for a reward for how he's been in training and the energy he's brought back into the squad."
A Frustrating Spell at Albion
Bany has appeared seven times as a substitute since arriving from Denmark. He was unable to build on four cameos towards the end of last season after breaking down with an injury during pre-season. Bany was used just once by Ryan Mason, as a late substitute, in the first half of the season. The attacker was used as an example of the failed recruitment of former sporting director Andrew Nestor, who exited in January.
International Recognition
Copenhagen-born Bany confirmed his international allegiance to Jordan this season. He won his first cap in the autumn and could be Albion's sole representative at this summer's World Cup, as Jordan are one of several fringe football nations to qualify for the expanded tournament.
Morrison concluded: "He trains really well, comes in every day wanting to improve. I think he's enjoying it."
