Igor has been praised for his “personality and attitude” as he settles into Albion life.

The powerfully-built Brazilian could have an important role to play across coming hectic weeks and appears to be improving game by game.

Roberto De Zerbi is likely to offer an update on the fitness of players including Lewis Dunk, Pervis Estupinan and Tarig Lamptey when he speaks to the media ahead of Saturday’s game at Nottingham Forest.

But he already knows he must cope without Jan Paul van Hecke in the Europa League trip to AEK Athens due to suspension.

Igor can cover centre-back and full-back areas and also offers the option of playing in a back three if necessary.

After little involvement in opening weeks, the summer signing from Fiorentina has featured at some point in six of the last seven fixtures.

Head coach De Zerbi said: “He is not a surprise but he is playing very well.

“Not only with the ball or without the ball, but in personality and attitude.

“He is playing very well and I am very happy.

Albion have yet to keep a clean sheet in domestic fixtures but have not conceded a goal in their last four hours of Europa League football.

Van Hecke has been a big part of that but picked up an unfortunate third yellow of the group games in Amsterdam when he appeared initially to have been fouled by opponent Brian Brobbey.

That means a one-game ban in the UEFA competition.