Nicolas Anelka: West Brom striker returning to club duty

Nicolas Anelka is returning to duty at West Brom, the club has announced.

The 34-year-old striker had told the club he was considering retirement following the death of his agent and was given compassionate leave.

"Having met with head coach Steve Clarke today, he will rejoin his team-mates tomorrow," the club said in a statement.

The summer signing sat out Saturday's game at Everton and missed Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie against Newport.

The club added: "Anelka will resume first-team training tomorrow [Thursday] and be available for selection for Sunday's game against Swansea."

After being given compassionate leave, Clarke confirmed the player said he was thinking of quitting football.

"I'm not going to deny that he used that word," Clarke told reporters.

Following the news that Eric Manasse had died, the much-travelled Anelka said on his Facebook page: "I cannot find the words to express my sadness."

The 69-times capped France international joined his sixth Premier League club when signing a one-year deal with West Brom in July after spending the latter half of last season at Italian champions Juventus.

After scoring seven goals in as many pre-season games, he made his competitive debut for his new club in a Premier League opening weekend defeat by Southampton.

Anelka claimed Premier League titles with Arsenal and Chelsea, and has also played for Liverpool, Manchester City and Bolton.

He won the Champions League in 2000 with Spanish club Real Madrid.