Darren Freeman is poised to provide a Boxing Day boost to Albion's promotion fight.

Boss Micky Adams has pulled him out of an intended appearance in the reserves at Cambridge United today.

Freeman is being saved instead for the hectic Christmas schedule.

He will be in the squad again for Friday's home game against Exeter and could then make his first start for four months at Barnet on Boxing Day.

Albion have been hit by a forward crisis for the trip to Underhill. Bobby Zamora is banned and Lee Steele is sidelined by a knee injury sustained in a car crash.

That leaves rookie Scott Ramsay as the only current central striker, although manager Micky Adams has the option of switching Gary Hart back into the middle from the right flank.

Freeman has not started a match since the home defeat by Kidderminster at the end of August.

Last season's leading marksman had two hernia operations, which ruled him out for 14 weeks.

He returned to action in a reserve game earlier this month and made an encouraging comeback to first team action at Mansfield last Saturday as a 73rd minute replacement for skipper Paul Rogers.

Adams said: "Darren has been back in full training for three weeks. I thought a 20 minute run-out would do him the world of good and he looked quite sharp.

"I've got a small squad and we have four games in 11 days. He has worked hard in training and he has done enough. As far as I am concerned he is fit and available."