Allardyce handed big Baggies boost as injured star back in training
West Brom have confirmed that midfielder Sam Field is back in training after his nightmare start to the season.
The club posted a picture of the 22-year-old going through the motions on Friday, as he prepares to make his return to first-team action.
Field’s absence has been one of the big mysteries for West Brom this season.
He suffered a serious knee injury earlier in the campaign and then also contracted COVID-19.
Field has not featured in a match-day squad for the Baggies since the 2-0 defeat away to Southampton back at the start of October.
The midfielder was tipped to feature in the squad that beat Sheffield United recently, but he was not present.
Sunday’s derby with Aston Villa has come too soon for Field, but it appears that he is edging closer to this long-awaited return.
Timely boost for Allardyce
Speaking at his first Albion press conference, Allardyce suggested that every player would have the opportunity to impress.
Eager to see what he has available to him before entering the January market, Field should get some Premier League minutes under this belt in the coming weeks.
Described as a ‘proper holding midfielder’ by former Baggies manager Slaven Bilic, Field could fit into Allardyce’s plans perfectly.
We do not yet know what style Big Sam will implement at West Brom, but he has had a preference of deploying two holding midfielders in the past, specifically in his most recent job at Everton.
Although his game time has been limited this season, Field has done well when given the chance.
According to Wyscout, he has averaged an impressive 11 interceptions per 90 minutes this season.
That is more than double what both Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers are currently producing.
In other West Brom news, Five West Brom players ruled out of clash v Aston Villa