Osaze Odemwingie returned to action for the first time in over a month when he came off the bench to feature for West Bromwich Albion in last Sunday's Premier League loss to Manchester City.
And his return couldn't have been better timed as the Baggies get set to prosecute two games over the next five days.
The last time the Nigerian international appeared for the Baggies was in their 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers back at the start of October but he picked a knee injury late in the tie and was subsequently consigned to the treatment table.
As a result, he was withdrawn from international duty and missed Nigeria's 2012 Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea (which the Super Eagles lost 1-0).
His combativeness and high work rate, which endeared him to fans of the Super Eagles was undoubtedly missed in the game against the Guineans but he was even more sorely missed by West Brom fans, who saw their darling Baggies plummet down the Premier League table in the absence of their newly acquired Nigerian striker.
The Baggies have won just one game since the former Lokomotiv Moscow forward picked up the injury. In Odemwingie's absence, the Baggies have added four points from a possible 12.
Although they defeated Leicester City 4-1 in the League Cup, their only win in the Premier League this past month arrived in their 2-1 home win against Fulham. The victory came a week after their impressive 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford - a game that was actually their first without their talismanic Nigerian.
In his absence, they suffered back to back losses to Blackpool and Manchester City, and dropped from the impressive 6th position they occupied at the end of the tie with Bolton to 10th.
West Ham and Wigan beckon
Up next for the Baggies is an away game on Wednesday against bottom of the table West Ham and manager Roberto Di Matteo will love to play Odemwingie from the start especially going by the impressive 30 minute performance he churned out in the 2-0 loss to Manchester City where had it not been for a fine save from City goalkeeper Joe Hart, the Nigerian would have increased his Premier League goals tally to four from seven matches.
Another seemingly easy game for the Baggies will then come up on Saturday against 18th placed Wigan. But just like the tie against the Hammers, this will also be an away game.
With the current poor form of their hosts these games present an opportunity for West Brom to improve their league fortunes.
That is why they will be glad to have Odemwingie back in their fold especially with the memories of his man of the match performance against Arsenal still fresh in the mind.
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