Bradley Orr is set to give Bristol City a boost by returning to full-time training.

City's long-serving right-back has not played since limping out of last month's Coca-Cola Championship clash against Barnsley at Oakwell.

But he has now recovered from the calf and Achilles problems which ruled him out of subsequent matches against Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest and been given the all-clear to resume training.

And that is good news for Bristol City manager Gary Johnson ahead of next Saturday's potentially significant meeting with promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.

Johnson confirmed: "Bradley is at the stage where he can rejoin the group and I expect him to be training on Monday.

"It's taken a little time to get to the bottom of his injury and we decided we didn't want to take any silly risks, especially with the international break.

"He was still feeling it the other week and we left him out as a precaution at Forest. But he's since put it to the test and everything seems to be fine.

"He could have trained on Thursday, but we decided not to rush him. The lads are all having a three-day break and will be back to work after the weekend."

Cole Skuse deputised for Orr at Barnsley and played an integral role in Bristol City's 3-2 victory, their first on the road in the Championship this season.

He retained the right-back berth against Wednesday and Forest and did well enough to suggest he might be considered for the role at the Hawthorns a week today.

Johnson commented: "It's great to have this level of competition for places. Cole has come in and done a very good job, but now we have Brad nearly fully fit again and champing at the bit. It's a nice situation to be in."

At long last the injuries and illnesses which have beset City for much of the season appear to be clearing up and, with the exception of long-term casualty Brian Wilson, the manager should be able to select from a full-strength squad for the trip to West Brom.

"I don't think we've been able to do that at any stage this season," said Johnson. "It's been one thing after another and there has always been two or three missing for whatever reason.

"Apart from Brian Wilson, it now looks as though we have a clean bill of health, which is pleasing. It gives us more options."

Defender Liam Fontaine announced his comeback from an ankle ligament injury in a reserve team fixture against Reading at Wokingham last Tuesday and is pencilled in for another 90 minutes in Monday's Totesport.com Combination match at Southampton.

"Liam came through without any problems and his fitness was fine," revealed Johnson. "But he needs game time under his belt and he'll probably have another run out against Saints to get him right for West Brom."