Republic of Ireland defender Andrew Omobamidele has suffered a "setback" in his recovery from a back injury, Norwich City have confirmed.
The 19-year-old last featured for Norwich on 5 December against Tottenham and had been nearing a return to action this month.
But he remains unavailable, with Canaries manager Dean Smith saying at the pre-match press conference ahead of their game against Manchester City: "Andrew has suffered a setback with his injury. We're hoping it's nothing too serious but we've sent him to see a consultant to check."
The Leixlip native has made seven appearances for Norwich this season, including four starts in the Premier League and a first top-flight goal against Leeds in October.
At international level, Omobamidele has emerged as a regular pick for Stephen Kenny since making an impressive senior debut as a first-half substitute for West Brom's Dara O'Shea in the 2-1 defeat to Portugal in September's World Cup qualifier.
He has since won five caps including starts against Serbia, Azerbaijan and Qatar in the autumn.
Meanwhile, O'Shea, whose ankle fracture against the Portuguese led to Omobamidele's introduction, stepped up his return from that injury this week when he made a late substitute appearance for West Brom against Sheffield United in the Championship on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old had made two appearances for West Brom's under-23s in the past two weeks, including 90 minutes on Monday, as well as in a behind-closed doors friendly.
O'Shea told Birmingham Live of his joy at making a first-team return after five months on the sidelines.
"I feel perfect. I’ve felt great for the last couple of weeks, it’s just protocol to ease yourself back in. I feel fit, strong. I’m just itching to get back into the team," said the versatile defender.
"I've had a good recovery, I’ve enjoyed it even though it’s been tough at times. There have been some dark days. It’s been good. It’s tested me mentally, and I’ve learned a good bit about myself, these past five months.
"You’re having the highest of highs, then the next thing you know you’re stuck out for five months and you can’t do anything about it. We started the season really well and I was loving it, I really enjoyed the way we were playing. The injury is part and parcel, but it’s behind me now. I’m fit, strong and ready to get going."
On the possibility of playing in West Brom's next home match against Blackburn, he added: "Next Monday I'll be in, if selected by the new gaffer. If he wants me involved, I’ll be more than willing to play. I’ll be knocking on his door almost.
"It's only been a few days but I’ve had some brief chats with him. A lot of it was speaking about getting minutes into my legs and assessing it afterwards."
For his part, new Baggies first-team boss Steve Bruce welcomed O'Shea's reintegration to the matchday squad and feels the Dubliner has proven his fitness for more minutes in the weeks ahead.
"He has got that natural desire a defender needs. He has got those leadership qualities and he plays with his heart on his sleeve," he said.
"He jumped into a tackle two days ago and I'm thinking 'dear oh dear – you’ve just come back from a bad injury.’
"He’s showed no signs of that, I’ve had to slow him down on the training ground. It’s good to have him back. He’d gone 45 and 60, and Monday night was his 90. He was itching to come back into the squad, the type of lad he is.
"He proved his fitness the last two or three weeks before I got here. I didn’t hesitate to bring him back in."
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