West Brom defender Matt Clarke could make return before international break
Matt Clarke is on course to return to West Brom action in the coming weeks, according to Birmingham Mail journalist Joe Chapman.
The Brighton loanee, 24, has been absent since hobbling off injured with a hamstring injury in the 41st minute of West Brom’s 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on August 21.
He missed the League Cup loss to Arsenal four days later and the 1-0 victory over Peterborough United [August 28], as well as the three successive draws against Millwall, Derby County and Preston North End after the international break.
But he’s in line to return before the next international break, which begins after a trip to Stoke City on October 1.
“I would expect him to be in contention for selection before the next international break, which wasn’t previously a given at all,” Chapman wrote in the Birmingham Mail.
“The Blues [Birmingham City] game on the Friday following the October international break would be the best bet, but I think it sounds as though he’s making really good progress on his hamstring injury and I’d expect him to be back.”
“They’ve got Stoke at the beginning of October, and QPR and Cardiff before then.
“He could play a part in either of those games as well.”
Key man
Albion haven’t exactly gone pear-shaped in defence since Clarke suffered his injury, but it’s fair to suggest it has disrupted their momentum and affected their play.
Valerien Ismael’s men have only conceded three times in four and a half Championship games since Clarke hobbled off in the first half against Blackburn last month, but his absence has forced a reshuffle.
Dara O’Shea, Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi were the trio selected for the back-three in the win over Peterborough a week later, and the latter proved to be the late hero, although there were shaky moments in the game.
However, O’Shea suffered a serious injury for the Republic of Ireland last month and has been missing ever since.
That saw Cedric Kipre start against Millwall before Conor Townsend was moved from left wing-back to central defence in order to offer the left-footed balance that had been missing since Clarke’s injury.
Albion haven’t been the same side since, and they could really do with his aerial abilities and comfort on the ball from the back.
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