Kieran Gibbs and Tosin Adarabioyo have given Jimmy Shan a major boost ahead of West Bromwich Albion’s final eight games of the season.

The pair have returned to training this week ahead of next Friday’s derby with Birmingham City as the top sides in the higher reaches of the table collide.

Gibbs and Adarabioyo missed the victories over Swansea City and Brentford, but they will be in with a chance of making their comebacks a week today.

The Baggies are fourth in the table and are well-placed to finish in the play-offs but have the slimmest of hopes of mounting a charge to finish in the top-two places.

Having had to fill the holes in the absences of two of Albion’s key men in recent matches, Shan will be pleased to have the duo returning to add more competition for places.

Finding form now is vital to go into the post-season as the team to beat, and the pair's return will go a long way into aiding a return to form heading into a potential play-off campaign.

But how big of a boost is the pair’s return to first-team training ahead of what is sent to be a comeback for the senior side next Friday?

We asked our team of FLW writers their thoughts on the matter…

Gary Hutchinson

"Yeah, 100%

"The Baggies need to cement that top six spot, and certainly Kieran Gibbs is a big part of that.

"This is great news for the stand-in boss."

Jay Taylor

“It is a significant boost to their hopes of finding consistency ahead of the play-offs.

“An automatic promotion place is out the window so they will have to make do with extending their season.

“Finding form and consistency in team selection is vital now for Shan, and the pair’s return is timely and will give them confidence ahead of the final eight matches.”

George Dagless

"Gibbs is the main boost.

"Tosin is a good young player, but Gibbs is the obvious senior pro and one that would come straight back into the side.

"The Baggies look better in defence, and Gibbs' return will improve that further."

Toby Wilding

“This is a big boost.

“Jimmy Shan has already made a promising start to life, temporary as it may be, in the Hawthorns dugout.

“So, to now get two players who have been a big part of The Baggies back line this season available for the run in is another step in the right direction.”