Arsenal captain Thomas Vermaelen has revealed that he wants to return to action for his side's Capital One Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion.

The defender missed the entire pre-season after aggravating a back injury, and has yet to feature for the Gunners so far this season.

However, with the international break imminent, Vermaelen is eyeing a comeback for Arsenal for their third-round encounter at The Hawthorns later this month.

"The West Brom game is a few weeks away yet and hopefully I will be closer to a return myself in the meantime," Vermaelen told reporters.

"West Brom looks like an interesting draw – it looks like a tough game but a nice game too. It's one we will take seriously and with a high focus.

"I can't put a date on my comeback yet, as it depends on how I respond to the physical work I am doing, but I am focusing day by day and am really happy with how things are going so far."

Vermaelen has been on the fringes of the Arsenal first team since losing his place at the expense of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny.