Berahino manages 90 minutes in West Brom's Under-23 match

Saido Berahino could be nearing a return to first-team consideration at West Bromwich Albion under Tony Pulis, after playing a full match for its Under-23 squad against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday evening.

Repeated offers from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2015, and bids of around £20 million from Stoke City and Crystal Palace in the last window have come amid weight and personal issues for the 23-year-old forward, but Berahino's inclusion in the 1-0 loss in Kidderminster could signal an imminent return to Premier League football.

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It was Berahino's first match involvement since he scored in a 2-1 Under-23 win over Stoke in September, with his last senior outing coming when he started in a 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth earlier that month.

"He's playing in the Under-23s so that'll be his first full game. Hopefully he'll get through that and then we'll take it from there," manager Pulis had told PA Sport before Monday's match.

The baseball cap-donning gaffer also said that Monday's aim was to give Berahino 90 minutes - mission accomplished - and that his availability could come at a key time, given the stacked festive schedule on the horizon.

"We will need everyone by the looks of things," Pulis added. "The amazing thing is we have three games this week and then we have nine days off and then four games in eight days. It's quite extraordinary but it's for other people to talk about.''

Considering Berahino's appearance with the Baggies' reserve throng, the 23-year-old would be unlikely to trouble the starting XI in his employer's visit from Swansea City on Wednesday, but could push for inclusion during Saturday's hosting of Manchester United.