Coach Carlos Corberan acknowledges that in order to prevent Albion’s attack injury crisis from getting worse, he has scaled back training.
Today at The Hawthorns, the Baggies will resume play against the recently promoted Plymouth Argyle, but their firepower and supplies are limited.
The only players expected to return before the next international break in November are creators John Swift and Jeremy Sarmiento, as well as strikers Josh Maja and Daryl Dike, the former of whom is expected back next month.
This week marks Albion’s return to training following a brief hiatus.
“Recovery is the focus of the first three days following the previous game. Corberan clarified, “After, the next three or four days we are here.” “Thereafter, we had the chance to spend time with the families on the weekend without the game and after we returned with the training.
Overall, we had a few days of work, but given the circumstances we find ourselves in at the moment, it is true that we must exercise extreme caution in the amount of training we provide.
Since we no longer have three attacking options, we must carefully plan every aspect of our training. Some players who are playing a lot and will be crucial in the upcoming stretch of games need to be replenished.
We are aware that Swift and Maja will return following the next international break, even though Sarmiento may be close between now and then.
It may only be Sarmiento’s choice to be prepared for the final game, or final two. We must pay close attention to what our players require at this time, particularly in our attacking unit where we have lost three players.
Today’s match against the 18th-placed Pilgrims is expected to feature a number of players, including striker Brandon Thomas-Asante, wingers Jed Wallace and Grady Diangana, and exciting youngster Tom Fellows, who Corberan may call upon from the bench.
Before the international break, Winger Fellows, who was a dynamic player in the preseason, made a brilliant cameo in the 3-1 loss at Blues.
Although he has performed best this season almost entirely in a more defensive wing-back role, Matt Phillips is another option to play a more prominent attacking role.
Today, another spot in Albion’s modestly sized 20-man matchday squad is up for grabs due to unavailability. Corberan assembled this squad with this in mind.
As the head coach increases his roster, academy players Fenton Heard, Akeel Higgins, Reece Hall, Josh Shaw, Kevin Mfuamba, Harry Whitwell, and Reyes Cleary trained alongside the first team this week.
Summertime acquisition Maja is not anticipated to return until after the upcoming international break, having sustained an injury during last month’s draw with Bristol City.
The same is true for Swift, the top scorer with six goals, who was hurt against Blues last time out. However, because of two fortnight breaks due to international duty, the attacking midfielder might only miss five Albion games.
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