Carlos Corberan now faces another squad crisis at West Brom as new Josh Maja injury blow emerges
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan now faces yet another crisis at the Hawthorns with Josh Maja now expected to be out for at least two months.
Maja was introduced as a second-half substitute at Ashton Gate on Saturday [16 September] and was unable to help Albion make the breakthrough in a game that finished goalless.
The Nigeria international was involved in a big controversial talking point late on in the game as he was sent to the ground inside the box by Kai Naismith, but no penalty was awarded.
After the match, the Baggies summer signing was pictured in a leg brace (16 September) as a result of the clash.
UK news outlet Birmingham Live shared on 18 September that it is hoped that a definitive update can be shared by Corberan on Maja’s situation after he needed help coming off the pitch at the weekend.
Corberan is expected to address the situation in Tuesday’s press conference but now faces an anxious wait on the extent of his injury ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Watford (20 September) and beyond.
With Daryl Dike not expected to return from his long injury lay-off until at least December, West Brom only have Brandon Thomas-Asante and Maja as their specialist strikers.
However, the club have now confirmed [19 September] that Maja will be out for eight weeks in another new blow at The Hawthorns.
Ankle injuries are incredibly hard to recover quickly from and the way Maja was felled by Naismith’s tackle at the weekend certainly shows a player who could possibly be out for a while.
In a review of the game for the Express & Star [18 September], journalist Ollie Westbury said: “Arguably Baggies could have had a penalty when Maja was clattered in the final minute of stoppage time, but it was not a decision [Carlos] Corberan felt particularly strongly about.
“More concerning for Albion would be the injury Maja picked up from the challenge, it saw him hobble off at full-time assisted by WBA medical staff.
“With the forward only just getting up to speed fitness-wise and impressing so much at the weekend, it would be a big blow to lose him for a considerable period of time.”
Indeed, Maja was signed by Corberan to significantly bolster their attacking numbers after his tremendous exploits for Bordeaux, registering 16 goals and six assists in 38 Ligue 2 appearances and the Nigerian international looked set to be the answer to West Brom’s goalscoring issues.
Corberan now faces a serious dilemma at the Hawthorns, similar to the injury crisis he endured last season.
Maja has yet to start a Championship game for Albion since arriving in the summer, with all five of his appearances to date coming from the substitutes’ bench.
Despite playing just 101 minutes of football for the Baggies, the 24-year-old’s quality has been clear to see at times and with Thomas-Asante struggling to score consistently, just who will Corberan turn to score the goals they need.
Maja’s injury blow may now have damaging repercussions for their early Championship playoff statement, seeing as they currently sit 13th in the table.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has explained some of his selection calls against Bristol City.