West Brom duo Sam Johnstone and Semi Ajayi could return v Sheffield Utd
West Brom duo Sam Johnstone and Semi Ajayi could make a return as the Baggies travel to Sheffield United tomorrow evening (February 9) according to The Star.
Johnstone is expected to return to the starting XI under Steve Bruce having been left out by Valerien Ismael due to a disagreement.
Baggies defender Ajayi is also back and in contention for the clash at Bramall Lane having just returned from representing Nigeria at AFCON.
All hands on deck
The Baggies need all hands on deck from now until the end of the season as Bruce looks to turn the Baggies form around.
Johnstone and Ajayi returning will be a huge boost for the team will significantly boost Albion’s promotion push.
The fact that the England international was shunned by Ismael following a supposed falling out is embarrassing. He is a top-class keeper and a dispute between manager and player should never come before the good of the team.
Hopefully the 28-year-old can put all the drama behind him and continue the fine form he has shown so often for the Baggies. His future looked uncertain at the club in January but this is a huge step in the right direction of keeping hold of the team key players.
West Brom could have really done without losing their stalwart in centre-back, especially with Ajayi struggling to cement his place in the team as Nigeria fell short in the AFCON.
Ajayi showed what he was capable of early in the season and despite his place in the team being taken away from him before he departed for Cameroon, having an extra experienced pro will do no harm especially with Albion’s central defensive issues this season.
In other Albion news, West Brom chief Ron Gourlay targets fan and media relationships.