Harri Burton

Wed 6 December 2023 12:10, UK

Semi Ajayi should not feature at centre-back for West Brom against Sunderland despite a decent display against Leicester City last weekend.

With the 2023 African Cup of Nations on the horizon, the Baggies are set to be without Ajayi for a minimum of two weeks, if Nigeria are to be knocked out at the group stage. But this could be a much longer period.

The 30-year-old’s absence could prove to be an incredible opportunity for one academy graduate with high hopes expected of him – Caleb Taylor.

Although the Nigerian international has played more of a rotational role this season under Carlos Corberan, the manager was still confident of deploying him against Leicester in one of the biggest matches of the campaign so far.

“I think it’s difficult when you are not playing with the team and come back to the starting XI, especially in a game like Saturday,” Corberan said to Birmingham Live of Ajayi’s performance against the league leaders (6 December).

“The fact that he has been playing with Nigeria in the starting XI gave me the confidence to play with him because, even though he didn’t have the game time with us here, he had the game time with the national team and he was ready to compete.”

Despite a couple of mistakes during the match, the centre-back’s experience aided him well and nearly helped West Brom to a point against the Foxes, if not for a last-minute breakaway goal from Harry Winks.

However, with the potential for Ajayi to be missing from the squad for over four weeks, it seems a sensible idea to bring through a young prospect and integrate him into the team.

The centre-back could miss fixtures against Blackburn Rovers, Norwich City, Plymouth Argyle, Birmingham City, and Ipswich Town, with AFCON running from 13 January until 11 February 2024.

John Percy has said there are “high hopes for Caleb Taylor, the 20-year-old son of former Birmingham defender Martin and the latest academy graduate,” as per The Telegraph (29 November).

The young centre-back has made five senior appearances at the Hawthorns since 2021, sandwiching a loan move to Cheltenham Town of League One, where he made 49 appearances.

The jump from League One to the Championship may seem a rather daunting challenge, but it seems like he might just be ready to face it. And there is no better time than the present.

To integrate him properly into the team, taking Ajayi’s spot in the matchday squad, even as a substitute, will prepare both parties for when the veteran defender leaves for AFCON.

Though Ajayi may be wanting precious minutes ahead of the esteemed international tournament, the Baggies do not owe it to the player, with the club already agreeing to allow him to play for Nigeria during a tough winter period.

West Brom’s ageing squad is also another reason to bring Taylor through, looking ahead to the future at the Hawthorns. Kyle Bartley – 32 years old. Erik Pieters – 35 years old. Martin Kelly – 33 years old.

Youth is key. It would be silly to waste it.

In other West Brom news, Gary Lineker has reacted to what happened at the Hawthorns.