Steve Madeley: More covid-19 cases would see West Brom demand Barnsley postponement
West Brom secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Reading on Saturday (11 December), with the first-team missing some players to the Coronavirus.
The Baggies travel to Oakwell to face Barnsley on Friday (17 December), but the Championship clash risks being postponed if more positive Covid-19 cases emerge, according to The Athletic journalist Steve Madeley.
Four of the players tested positive ahead of the Reading clash, and while Valerien Ismael wanted the game postponed, Albion were not sure enough of their grounds to call off the game after the EFL refused their request.
Madeley wrote on his personal Twitter account on Monday night: “Interesting to see what Albion do if they get more positive tests this week on top of Saturday’s four.
“They weren’t sure enough of their grounds to call off the Reading game even though they wanted to, but surely more cases would leave them with no choice for Friday night.”
Likely?
West Brom were forced to make several changes to their matchday squad at the weekend, but they would not want to do that again if more cases come up.
The EFL do not want clubs with academy players and young professionals that count as ‘fit and available’ to postpone games due to Covid-19 cases, and that counted against the Baggies at the weekend.
The Hawthorns outfit fear that the outbreak will worsen, and while they have since fumigated their training ground, there are no guarantees that they will be ready for Friday’s trip.
Their last starting XI had just one training session for the Reading clash, but Ismael is not even sure of his plans yet as he prepares to return to his old stomping ground.
Barnsley are 23rd in the table, and while West Brom will fancy their chances of leaving with all three points, they need their first-team players available to do so.
They are five points off table leaders Fulham, and they know a win will put them closer to a return to the automatic promotion places, but that would not be possible with a depleted squad.
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