West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson hailed Shane Long in his comeback game for victory over Bolton Wanderers.

Albion had feared Long would be out for up to eight weeks with a knee injury but he returned after only a month to turn home Nicky Shorey's second half cross.

Hodgson said: "It was an easy decision when Shane was declared fit because he is a good player and when he doesn't play, we miss him.

"He adds a dimension to the way we play. When we win the ball back and get it forward, things build up from him.

"Today they also built up from Zoltan Gera and I had two of them up there doing a magnificent job in that respect.

"We've missed that the last couple of weeks and those two can take a good deal of the credit for a very good West Brom performance."

Hodgson added: "Long was only touch and go in the sense that doctors advise caution and players and coaches are more adventurous.

"In Long I have the most adventurous of the adventurers. He is Tintin plus!

"Basically speaking, he wanted to play and the doctors made no attempt to stop him playing."