Felipe Teixeira is unlikely to be fit for the start of West Brom's Premier League campaign, but should return by the autumn.The Portuguese midfielder suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in the 3-0 Championship home win over Plymouth Argyle in March.

Teixeira underwent surgery in his homeland and has since been recuperating with the help of the medical team at his former club Academica de Coimbra.

Baggies physio Richie Rawlins has been on the phone to Teixeira throughout the summer and the 27-year-old is now set to return to England next week to continue his rehabilitation.

"Felipe seems very optimistic and happy with how things are going," Rawlins told the club website.

"The operation was a success. The swelling has all gone down and the knee is a lot stronger.

"There have been no set-backs, he is progressing really well and everything is going according to plan.

"While the rest of the boys head off to Holland and Germany on the pre-season tour, he'll be staying here and doing rehab work with us."

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