Clement ruled out until New Year

Clement missed the start of last season with a knee injury

West Bromwich Albion defender Neil Clement has been ruled out of action until at least the New Year after undergoing surgery on an injured knee.

The 30-year-old has been sidelined since sustaining the injury in a pre-season friendly against Real Mallorca.

Baggies manager Tony Mowbray said: "It was decided that surgery was the best option and it will be at least a few months before he is back.

"Neil's been through this sort of thing before and I'm sure he'll come back."

Clement missed the majority of last season with a persistent knee injury, but returned towards the end of the campaign to help the Baggies win promotion to the Premier League.

Mowbray would not set a timescale on when the former Chelsea player would return, saying: "I would suggest it will be the New Year, although I would not like to set that in stone because I am not a medical person.

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"You feel sympathy because Neil worked so hard to get back. I'm not sure whether he over-did things pre-season or whether the hard grounds at that time affected him.

"But it is not the same knee as before. It is not like it is a recurring injury and we wish him a speedy recovery."