West Brom injury news as Matt Phillips may not be fit for next season already
Matt Phillips is not expected to return for West Brom this season and in a further blow, he faces a race to be fit for the start of the new term.
There is no expectation that he will be able to feature in the push for a playoff spot over the final six games of the Championship.
The former Scotland international last featured for the Baggies back in January, having made 28 appearances over the course of the campaign prior to his injury.
Ahead of the short trip to The Potteries on Saturday, an injury assessment was given by Birmingham World with the wide man named as one of six definite absentees.
“The winger suffered a quadriceps injury during Albion’s 4-0 FA Cup third-round replay victory over Chesterfield back in January,” they wrote.
“Phillips isn’t expected to return before the end of the season and could face a race to be fit before the next campaign.”
No further margin for error.
The form of Carlos Corberan’s side has definitely been impacted by the extent of the injury list.
With several key first team figures on the sidelines in recent weeks, it can be no coincidence that results have regressed leaving an uphill battle in the quest for a top six finish in the table.
The return of goalkeeper Alex Palmer is a welcome option for Corberan, but Kyle Bartley won’t play against Stoke. He has a chance of making the final games unlike Dara O’Shea who will be a big loss followng his latest setback whilst on international duty with the Republic of Ireland.
West Brom have no further margin for error but with four of the remaining six fixtures coming away from home, the Spanish coach will need to elicit a resolve and a desire from his team to secure the required points.
It still is possible but it will be a tall order to remove the five point deficit that stands between West Brom and a shot at promotion to the Premier League.
In other West Brom news, Corberan to axe Griffiths in three changes – West Brom predicted XI v Stoke.