West Brom manager Bryan Robson has told revitalised midfielder Junichi Inamoto he can play a "major role" for Albion this season.
The Japanese star, something of a forgotten figure at The Hawthorns, has been a revelation this summer after proving to be the star man in matches against Crewe, Sevilla and Benfica.
Robson has admitted that Inamoto's form has made him a major contender for a place when the season starts next month.
"If Ina can keep playing like that then he's got a great chance to be in the team," Robson told the Express & Star.
"We want competition for places. Ina has done very well."
Robson's words will be music to the ears of a player who suffered a difficult first season at The Hawthorns which included a loan spell with Cardiff.
"When I first came to the club he had just returned to full training and he had a problem with a weakness in the leg he had broken," said Robson.
"He was well short of the fitness needed to take part in first team games at the time.
"After the first couple of reserve games and a bit of training I saw he wasn't up to coming into the first team.
"Then Cardiff wanted to take him on loan and I just thought it was a good chance for him to play first team football, get his fitness and confidence back," added the manager.
"And because he's been playing international football he's come back stronger and fitter than when I first came to the club."
[7/24TEAMtalk]
