Taylor Gardner-Hickman likely to have played last West Brom game after Bristol City coach ‘years’ comment
Taylor Gardner-Hickman may have played his last game for West Brom after Bristol City coach Curtis Fleming said the Robins’ have “years” to work with the loanee.
The 21-year-old joined City on an initial loan deal, with the Baggies’ Championship rivals holding the option to make it permanent for £1.3 million next summer [Bristol Live, 23 August] having not been part of Carlos Corberan’s plans for the season.
But due to the rules surrounding loan players, Gardner-Hickman won’t be allowed to play against the Baggies when they face Nigel Pearson’s men this Saturday (16 September), but Fleming has revealed that the midfielder would’ve liked the chance to face his parent club.
Speaking at the Bristol City press conference on Thursday (14 September) he said: “It’s disappointing for him but it’s something that we knew was going to happen, that’s life, that’s what it is. I think he would’ve liked to have played against… do we call it his parent club at the moment because it’s a loan at the moment?
“But we’re happy to have him here and he’s happy to be here, so it gives us weeks, months, years to work with him. So missing this game is fine.”
Weeks, months, years
While Gardner-Hickman has only made two appearances for the Robins since joining the ranks at Ashton Gate, it seems as though the coaching staff at Ashton Gate are already treating this deal as a permanent sale, rather than a season-long loan.
The Baggies haven’t struggled without the 21-year-old and he seems to still be finding his best position even having departed The Hawthorns, starting Bristol City’s win over Swansea at right-back rather than featuring in midfield.
Corberan is lacking depth at right-back and the Baggies have been interested in recruiting to strengthen in that area, but the West Brom manager has been vocal about the fact he doesn’t believe Gardner-Hickman is at his best in that position.
Having given his all during his time with the Albion, the former England youth international would have likely received a warm reception had been allowed to feature against the Baggies at Ashton Gate. But it doesn’t seem likely we’ll see him in a West Brom shirt again.
In other West Brom news, Tony Pulis has urged the Baggies to not allow Carlos Corberan to depart the Hawthorns