View: Enforced break gives injured West Brom ace chance to earn spot back in Bilic side
The enforced Coronavirus break has simply but West Brom and their charge to promotion on pause.
Slaven Bilic appeared to have found the winning formula at the Hawthorns, before a couple of dodgy results saw his side surrender top-spot to Leeds in the Championship.
Defeat against Wigan was followed by a respectable point at Swansea, with the Croatian not making too many changes in the process.
Bilic was forced into bringing back Kyle Bartley after Ahmed Hegazi picked up an injury whilst being in some of the best form he has ever been in with the Baggies.
The Egyptian international has been a standout performer and especially caught the eye in the win over Preston last month.
It is a testament to his patience given that Hegazi was forced to sit on the sideline for the majority of the season, although the injury is a big slice of bad luck.
This enforced break will give the African chance to recover and regain fitness though – putting him in the perfect place to earn his spot back for the final nine games of the season.
Semi Ajayi has clearly cemented his spot in the defence, but it seems unclear who will partner him once football returns – the break giving Hegazi a great chance to earn that spot back.
Looking at the numbers via WhoScored, Bartley averages considerably more tackles, interceptions, clearances and blocks this season compared to the Egyptian.
That would suggest that he is the favourite to keep his spot after the break, but this certainly gives Hegazi time to recover from an injury and earn back his chance in the heart of defence.
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