Lewis Cox relieved as West Brom manager Carlos Corberan gives Alex Palmer injury update
Express & Star reporter Lewis Cox is relieved that West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer will only be out for at least six weeks, following Carlos Corberan's injury update.
The Baggies boss revealed [WBA official website, 3 February] that Palmer stepped out of training on Thursday after feeling discomfort in his knee and ankle.
The 26-year-old stopper had a scan to determine the severity of the issue and Corberán says he expects to be without Alex for around six weeks.
And speaking on his Express & Star YouTube channel [4 February] Cox revealed the extent of Palmer’s injury will leave him sidelined for over a month but was relieved to report that it’s not as bad as first feared, saying:
“The fear was out for the season, wasn’t it? Nothing against David Button, but just from how good Palmer has been, it would be pretty disastrous, really, wouldn’t it?
“It was suggested pre-game that it wasn’t as bad as the rumour was, and we’ve just had it confirmed there from Carlos Corberan in his post-match press conference that it’s six weeks that Alex Palmer will miss.
“It’s not great, is it, because Palmer has been integral, really, under the head coach. He’s really been immense, I would say, one of Albion’s top performers.”
Huge blow
Certainly, the fact that Palmer is only out for six weeks does come as some relief to the Baggies faithful and Corberan, but it still remains a huge blow considering the keeper's form and performances this season since being made no.1 goalkeeper.
After starting off the season as the second-choice goalkeeper to David Button under Steve Bruce, Palmer won the No 1 spot towards the end of Bruce’s tenure and extended that his run of starts under Carlos Corberan, starting 17 Championship games so far this term.
The 26-year-old has been part of one of the best defences in the country of late, with him keeping nine clean sheets and conceding just 13 in his starts so far, letting in just five goals under the Spaniard.
With the transfer window now closed and closing off an opportunity to acquire a replacement, the onus will not be on Buttom to impress and reclaim his spot as the club's no.1 goalkeeper again. The 33-year-old did manage a clean sheet against Preston on Friday, so he does remain a reliable alternative between the sticks.