Kevin Phillips reacts to Sam Johnstone blow after England drop out, West Brom form is key
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has insisted that West Brom stopper Sam Johnstone will need to take it on the chin after withdrawing from the England squad.
The ex-Baggies talisman admitted that all that matters now is helping the Albion push for the Championship playoffs.
With the Qatar World Cup coming up at the end of the year, Johnstone will be praying he can do enough to make the squad.
“It’s tough,” he exclusively told West Brom News.
“It’s hard enough to get in the England squad full stop, plying your trade in the Championship, you’ve got to really stand out. Unfortunately, at the minute, West Brom results haven’t been brilliant so it’s been difficult for Sam.
“He has to take it on the chin, he’ll be disappointed and now he has to really concentrate on his club football and get some clean sheets so that West Brom can have a real good run at those playoffs.
“All he can do is perform for his club side and hope Gareth Southgate will get him back in there at some point.”
Gutting.
This is no doubt a real blow to Johnstone.
With Aaron Ramsdale, Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope all playing regularly in the Premier League, they will be favourites to go.
Southgate will be watching very closely for all of his options, but this may have been one of the final chances to do that while wearing that Three Lions jersey.
With his future also in the air with the contract running down, these are huge months ahead for Johnstone, and they are no doubt going to be career-defining.
In other West Brom news, Steve Bruce has held talks over new Baggies signing since arriving with a work permit update shared
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