Norwich City doubt over Grant Hanley fitness ahead of West Brom clash
West Brom will have perhaps their toughest test of the season on Saturday as they head south to Carrow Road to take on Norwich City.
The Canaries were relegated from the Premier League last season but have recovered rapidly to sit second in the Championship after nine matches while the Baggies languish in 20th.
It looks to be an extremely difficult game on paper but Albion may have stumbled into a stroke of luck with one of Dean Smith’s defenders a serious doubt for the game.
“(Grant) Hanley is a little bit of a concern. He said he doesn’t feel that bad and he’s an experienced player so he knows what is best for him,” Smith said to the club’s official website.
The Scottish international is often the rock at the back for Norwich but they could be without him against the Baggies which Steve Bruce would greatly welcome.
Thomas-Asante territory
Two goals in two substitute appearances for late summer arrival Brandon Thomas-Asante is exactly what Bruce was looking for when he splashed £300,00 on him from Salford City in League Two.
The 23-year-old had already scored four goals in six games for the Ammies in the fourth tier and it seems like that form has continued two divisions higher at The Hawthorns.
Karlan Grant might be the top scorer for West Brom so far this season but he hasn’t been able to fire them to a good run of results and now is the time for Bruce to make the change.
There is no point in making this signing if he isn’t going to give him a fair chance to lead the line every once in a while and with a less than familiar backline to torture, he could be the difference maker in Norfolk.
It has now been four games without victory in the league and that form cannot continue.
In other West Brom news, the Baggies should seriously reconsider recalling this sensational teenager from his loan to solve their own issues.