Amario Cozier-Duberry has seen his high-flying season on loan at Bolton Wanderers put on hold by a knee injury.
Bolton boss Steven Schumacher has revealed he could be back by the end of the campaign.
Current League One standings suggest that will then continue into the play-offs.
Cozier-Duberry’s recovery is being carefully monitored by Albion.
Bolton would love to have him back for a final stretch which, in April and May, includes games against five of the current top eight.
Schumacher said: “It was a relatively serious knee injury, so it is one that we can’t rush.
“He was in last week wearing a knee brace and went to see the specialist last week but the main thing is that he’s on track.
“We are confident enough to say that if his rehab goes to plan now and he has no setbacks, we'll get him for him certainly a few games towards the end of the season.
“Fingers crossed that's the case.”
Cozier-Duberry had been flying in the first half of the season, with some crucial contributions late in tight games.
He has six goals and eight assists so far and has been hugely popular in that corner of Greater Manchester.