Josh Maja decision to be made, Alex Palmer to start – West Brom predicted XI v Blackburn Rovers
Carlos Corberan has got some big decisions to make ahead of the opening game of the Championship season when West Brom face Blackburn on Saturday (5 August).
It’s been a quiet summer window so far for the Baggies with Jeremy Sarmiento joining on loan from Brighton, while Josh Maja joined on a free transfer this week to bolster the boss’ attacking options.
But with injuries and a big game at Ewood Park to open the season, the manager has some calls to make on his starting line up in order to ensure the team get off to the best start possible for the new season.
In goal there were concerns that Alex Palmer would be sold after Luton made a move for him, but the Baggies held firm and rejected the Premier League club’s final offer and he is now expected to stay at The Hawthorns. That means he starts here.
In defence Dara O’Shea has moved on to Burnley, leaving a gaping hole in the centre of defence. That has been filled by Cedric Kipre in pre-season, returning from his loan at Cardiff, and he looks likely to start alongside Semi Ajayi.
Darnell Furlong and Conor Townsend were the starting full-backs last season and are unlikely to lose their place in the side for the opening game of the season.
In midfield there will be no Adam Reach until early 2024, while Jayson Molumby has been carrying a knock in pre-season. That means Corberan could look to another returning loanee to play in the middle.
Adam Mowatt has returned from Middlesbrough and looks to be enjoying himself in pre-season, so is the most likely to be called into the lineup alongside Okay Yokuslu should the Irishman not be fit enough to feature.
In attack Jed Wallace and John Swift had strong debut campaigns last season and should both keep their place on the right and as the number ten respectively.
Grady Diangana is subject to interest from several clubs but is still injured and won’t play here, which leaves the left wing open for Matty Phillips to continue.
Up front Daryl Dike is still not fit so won’t feature, and the boss has two strikers to choose from in Josh Maja and Brandon Thomas-Asante.
The former Salford striker has been here throughout pre-season, but Maja has more experience and quality at a higher level and despite only joining this week is likely to get the nod to make his debut from the start.
In other West Brom news, first-team ace out until 2024 as surgery decision made.