Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters rated doubtful for West Brom clash – BBC
Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is rated as doubtful for their crucial clash with West Brom on Monday, according to BBC Sport.
The south-coast side travel to The Hawthorns 15 points clear of their opponents and 10 points clear of Fulham in the final relegation spot, and a victory in the West Midlands will surely secure their Premier League status for another year.
Ralph Hasenhuttl may have to go without the services of Walker-Peters, however.
According to the BBC Sport website the 23-year-old is Southampton’s only new fitness concern and is a doubt with a leg injury, though he has not been completely ruled out of Monday’s match-up.
He started their 3-2 win over Burnley last Sunday and that was his fourth start in the last five after a three-game injury absence, but he could be ruled out once again.
Branislav Ivanovic is Albion’s only recent absentee after picking up a hamstring injury last weekend, but Dara O’Shea is expected to be back fit after his own problem picked up in the shock 5-2 win over Chelsea.
Problem position for Saints
If Walker-Peters is indeed ruled out of Monday’s clash then there will surely be a whole host of West Brom players licking their lips at the prospect of exploring a potential weak link in the Saints side.
The right-back has proven himself to be a reliable performer since moving from Tottenham Hotspur but he has missed eight Premier League games this season and his absence has been damaging.
In Southampton’s last six games with him in the side they have won four and lost just twice, keeping three clean sheets.
However without his presence, they have been leaky in the extreme.
Southampton are winless in their last eight outings without Walker-Peters, conceding a mammoth 26 goals.
Evidently, he is a crucial player for them and Albion’s forward line will surely be excited at taking on a team without him.
Jan Bednarek has looked lost when shifted to full-back and Albion star man Matheus Pereira will be hoping to take advantage.
In other West Brom news, Mark Lawrenson predicts clash v Southampton and rates Albion survival chances.
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