Tariq Lamptey has thanked Albion's fans for helping him through a ten-month injury nightmare.

The wing-back played his first Premier League minutes since the Christmas decorations were going up last year as he went on as sub at Norwich on Saturday.

Lamptey has been nursed back gently by the club but was thrown on for the last half-hour of the 0-0 draw at Carrow Road.

He had previous played half of a Carabao Cup tie against Swansea at the Amex.

Lamptey said: “The crowd have been incredible throughout.

“The messages they have been giving me have been fantastic. I really appreciate them.

“They were brilliant the other day (against Swansea) and today they were fantastic.

“They make me feel so happy, I am so lucky to have them, so I just want to say a big thank you to them.”

Lamptey admitted his absence, which dragged on far longer than initially expected, provided a huge psychological hurdle.

He added: “It was challenging for me, mentally and physically.

“You work really hard, you have to make sure you work hard every day, we have good physios around you, the players, members of staff, everyone around the building have been amazing.

“They kept me positive and allowed me to focus on my rehab and I was able to come back and play today.”

“Hopefully I can build on this and play more and more games.”