Grady Diangana is a doubt for West Brom trip to Norwich City
West Brom attacker Grady Diangana is a doubt for the Baggies’ Championship trip to Norwich with a groin issue, as reported by The Express and Star’s Lewis Cox.
It’s understood that Diangana faces a 50/50 call on whether he will be fit to feature at Carrow Road on Saturday (17 September).
After speaking to Steve Bruce, Cox also reported (16 September) that Kyle Bartley won’t travel with the squad after picking up a hamstring strain. Recent addition Martin Kelly is expected to feature in Bartley’s absence.
For the best
Bartley being taken out of the firing line is probably for the best, particularly as he would’ve been facing one of the Championship’s most potent attacks in Norwich City.
It is now up to the 31-year-old to regroup and show that he is capable of rediscovering some form after his horror show against Birmingham City on Wednesday evening. What he was doing for Scott Hogan’s third goal is still a mystery.
It’s up to Kelly and Erik Pieters to come in and provide some leadership in the Baggies backline, particularly after their defensive nightmare in the week.
Diangana on the other hand will be a big loss for Bruce, with his pace and directness likely to be missed at Carrow Road. The Canaries will look to dominate the ball on Saturday and Diangana could’ve been a key weapon for the Baggies to utilise on the counterattack.
Bruce will be hoping that his groin problem is nothing serious and that he will be able to return to action as soon as possible. However, the Baggies boss cannot risk making the injury worse whilst trying to get him back into his plans.
In other West Brom news, the exact timeframe of Ajayi’s injury was revealed by Bruce before Birmingham rolled his side over on Wednesday.