Brandon Thomas-Asante may have just one game to save his West Brom career after injury news

Brandon Thomas-Asante may have just one game to save his West Brom career as Josh Maja edges close to a return from injury after over two months out.

Dr Rajpal Brar told West Brom News [18 November] that Josh Maja is expected to miss the game against Ipswich with an ankle injury, as he will slowly be eased back into the picture, which could provide Thomas-Asante an opportunity to save his career.

Maja was originally sidelined by an ankle ligament injury on 19 September [West Brom website] and was expected to miss around eight weeks with the blow.

In the 2-1 defeat to Southampton on 11 November, where the majority of the Albion team did themselves proud despite the result, Thomas-Asante put in another underwhelming display up front.

He touched the ball fewer times than Alex Palmer, with his 28 to Palmer’s 38, only completed 13 passes despite playing the entire game, and only won three of his ten attempted duels at a success rate of just 33%, and that’s without mentioning his profligacy in front of goal. [Sofascore]

It has been a poor season for the forward who was expected to be relied upon as Albion's first-choice number nine, but his strike against Coventry was his first from open play since August, showing how little effect he has had on this side.

The return of Maja could signal the beginning of the end for Thomas-Asante, and if the former can hit a strong run of form upon his return and prove he can be relied upon as the main goalscorer, Thomas-Asante could be cast aside.

Interest in the striker had emerged over the summer when a last-gasp bid from Stoke City was rejected [Express & Star, 30 August], and if that interest remains, West Brom could opt to sell for a good profit to help in their financial situation.

He will need an upturn in form to secure his place at The Hawthorns, and the clash with Ipswich could prove his only opportunity to show his boss what he can offer.

In other West Brom news, the club are interested in an "assist king".