Steve Bruce could be without three players ahead of West Brom v Blackburn
Steve Bruce could be without as many as three players ahead of West Brom v Blackburn in the Championship clash on Monday (14 February).
Shared by the Express and Star journalist Joseph Masi, Kyle Bartley has been ruled with chickenpox.
Matt Phillips is also unlikely to play, while Jake Livermore is suspended after Bruce faced the media on Saturday morning.
Masi tweeted from the press conference: “No rest for the wicked – Steve Bruce has just held his pre-Blackburn presser.
“Kyle Barley has chickenpox so will miss out. Matt Phillips (is) also unlikely to play. Livermore, obviously, suspended but no decision yet who will captain the team.”
Tough game
Bruce failed to arrest the gradual decline in his first game in charge.
The Baggies were playing well when they had 11 players on the pitch. But after Livermore was sent off, they fell apart.
The new boss will need time to make his mark but another defeat against Blackburn Rovers would serve as a huge blow, given there is still hope for promotion.
The results need to improve. There is a long way to go, but right now Bruce must focus on picking up a home win against Rovers.
The Baggies have picked up only one win in their last five Championship games, losing four of them.
They have lost three games in a row, but most importantly, the Baggies failed to score in their last three games.
The Albion have now dropped to ninth in the table. Blackburn, currently third, are vying for an automatic promotion spot, and it would be a very tough game for the home side.
In other Baggies news, Adrian Goldberg destroys West Brom ace Jake Livermore.