Callum O'Connell

Sat 22 July 2023 10:10, UK

West Brom midfielder Alex Mowatt, who spent last season on loan at promotion-chasing Middlesbrough, could return to the Baggies’ team this season as he reveals a conversation with Carlos Corberan, via the Express and Star.

The newspaper provided an update on Mowatt’s situation [21 July] ahead of the coming season, after spending last season in and out of the Middlesbrough side, and it has been revealed that he is targeting a return to the Baggies’ starting lineup.

The midfielder kept in contact with close friend and West Brom teammate Conor Townsend, constantly asking for updates on Corberan, who Mowatt is yet to play under, admitting he is looking forward to a fresh start this season.

Speaking via the Express and Star, Mowatt said: “I was battering Conor with messages. I was asking ‘What’s the gaffer like?’ ‘Do you think he will like me?’ Things like that – that’s what you do.

“I spoke with the gaffer here in November, he rang me. It was a long call, 20 minutes just speaking about football, he knows everything about football, every loan I’ve been on. He came through at Leeds and so did I, we were talking about Leeds a bit, and Barnsley, and when Boro played West Brom he called me in the office and we spoke for 10 or 15 minutes, I’ve had good talks with the gaffer.”

The midfielder then revealed: “It’s a fresh start for me, a totally different manager, totally different staff, it’s about me trying to impress and working hard, also learning what the gaffer wants and trying to do it on the pitch.”

The return of Mowatt will be very welcome

It’s an old cliche and one fans will be sick to death of hearing, but having Mowatt back from his loan spell up in Middlesbrough will be like a new signing for West Brom.

With the midfielder yet to work under Corberan bar a couple of pre-season appearances so far, it remains to be seen how he will fit into the manager’s system, but if the quotes are anything to go by, Mowatt will be relishing the opportunity to impress.

This news comes at a time when West Brom are struggling to bring in fresh faces due to financial restrictions, players who will be able to slot straight into the team will be welcome bonuses as they return from loan spells.

As well as Mowatt, West Brom are also benefiting from the return of defender Caleb Taylor from his loan spell at Cheltenham, while 21-year-old Taylor Gardner-Hickman has also expressed his desire to make more of an impact.

Any new faces are as good as new signings at this point, and Baggies fans may need to wait until later in the window for new transfer news as the club target the loan market.

In other West Brom news, an enquiry has been made to sign senior West Brom player.