Jason Jones

Tue 12 May 2020 19:30, UK

If West Brom are able to play their remaining Championship matches this season, they would surely feel much better about their prospects on the field if they could call upon the attacking talent of Grady Diangana.

The West Ham loanee has been a hit at the Hawthorns this season, scoring five goals and registering six assists in 21 league appearances so far.

Injuries have meant that his 2020 was disrupted even prior to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic, but Slaven Bilic did state at the end of February that he expected to have the winger back for a large portion of his side’s promotion run in.

Another, much more unforeseen effect of the ongoing global health crisis, however, has been the uncertainty it has caused surrounding loan players.

With most deals set to expire at the end of May, Diangana’s included, the sudden possibility of campaigns carrying on until late summer has led to concerns that some clubs could be without key players for vital parts of their run-in.

Thankfully, it would seem that the relevant governing bodies will sanction Diangana staying in the Midlands until the season is finished, on one condition.

A report from Sky Sports, relaying an update from Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, reads: “Players at the end of loan spells can also extend their moves if all three parties involved are in agreement.”

As a West Ham player, that rule should apply to Diangana too.

The Hammers had already told the Baggies that they are open to the winger staying at the Hawthorns until the end of the campaign, according to the Express and Star journalist Joseph Masi, and it’s unlikely that Diangana will want to turn his back on the club at this stage of the season when he is all but guaranteed first team action.

This update from Masters solidifies that plan, and will be a real relief to a lot of nervous supporters.

In other West Brom news, Sky journalist: Unnamed PL owner shared solution for next season including Leeds and WBA.