Steve Bruce must make right West Brom goalkeeper call after Sam Johnstone misses training
There could be an unexpected issue on the horizon for West Brom and Steve Bruce after Sam Johnstone missed England training today.
The Evening Standard reported of the 28-year-old’s absence from Gareth Southgate’s first session of the international window but didn’t specify a reason why he didn’t take part.
He could be in line to play either against Ivory Coast or Switzerland with the manager likely to give his number one Jordan Pickford a well-deserved rest.
That leaves Johnstone in a straight fight with Burnley’s Nick Pope for the gloves but both could play if Pickford is left out entirely.
If he is injured, however, it not only scuppers his chances of playing for the Three Lions but he may even have to miss games for West Brom when he returns.
That would leave Bruce with a major decision to make as to who he opts to start between the sticks.
David Button did a grand job of filling in after Johnstone and the previous manager Valerien Ismael had their falling out but he probably isn’t favourite to replace the England international.
Alex Palmer has resided on the bench in recent games having played one game as an emergency loan at Luton Town earlier in March.
The 25-year-old has risen through the leagues in England to be recognised as a very talented goalkeeper and this would be the kind of chance he has been ever so patiently waiting for.
He proved at Kenilworth Road that he can handle the Championship just fine so he has to be the right call for Albion, as long as Bruce trusts him enough.
In other West Brom news, Under-23s manager Richard Beale has laid into his players after their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on Everton plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.