By Pranav Shahaney

21st Nov, 2023 | 6:24pm

West Brom defender Martin Kelly injury update emerges post training return

West Brom defender Martin Kelly is set to be out of first-team action for the next few weeks, according to Birmingham Live.

The news outlet reported on 21 November that while he won’t be able for the senior side, he is likely to play under-21s football.

The 33-year-old is yet to feature this season as he was recovering from a serious knee injury.

Welcome back

Kelly’s return from a serious knee injury is undoubtedly a positive development for West Brom, but exercising caution is imperative to ensure his complete recovery and sustained fitness.

While he’s back in training, the intricacies of a severe knee injury demand a gradual reintroduction to the physical nature of English football.

Training sessions will allow the centre-back to regain fitness and reacquaint himself with the physical demands of the game, but the controlled environment may not replicate the intensity and unpredictability of a live match situation.

Minutes for the reserves serve as a crucial intermediary step in this rehabilitation process.

The controlled environment of under-21 games provides a platform for Kelly to test his fitness, regain match sharpness, and build confidence without the immediate pressures of first-team action.

It will also allow the coaching staff to monitor his performance, assess his reaction to different scenarios, and make informed decisions regarding his readiness for the senior squad.

In other West Brom news, a football expert has been left stunned after behind-the-scenes news has emerged at Hawthorns over the past few months.