Carlos Corberan shares Josh Maja team news hint for West Brom clash v Sunderland
Carlos Corberan has hinted Josh Maja could finally make his first league start for West Brom when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on 9 December.
The boss revealed Maja is closer to the starting lineup than ever before and is building up his fitness ahead of the clash, although he may not play the full 90 minutes.
He shared his belief that the striker is now ready to play from the start after a full week of training after his goal set up a dramatic end to the game against Leicester.
Speaking to the Express & Star [7 December], Corberan revealed: “I can tell you that one of these players is closer to playing. He’s closer to the first XI than ever before, only because before now he’s not been able to be.
“After this week of training, normally before Sunderland, he needs to be ready to play in the first XI. I will see if I play with him – or for the full game, normally no.
“Even if he’s not ready for the first time, I need to push the player because now it’s necessary for him and the team. At some point, he will be ready.
“I have the same feeling from before the Bristol City game when I felt he was ready. I start to have this feeling now.”
He deserves to start
It has been a long time coming, with his eight league appearances for Albion so far all coming from the bench at an average of 17 minutes per game [Sofascore], but Maja may finally be afforded his chance from the start in the weekend’s clash.
He has been unlucky with fitness and injuries, arriving at the club late in the summer with no pre-season which meant he was always playing catch-up, and just as he looked ready to start games, he sustained an ankle injury which kept him out of action for eight weeks.
Now, though, he looks set to be given his chance to impress. A trip to managerless Sunderland could provide the opportunity for him to solidify his place in the team after scoring last week, and he will be looking to make the most of his chance.
Brandon Thomas-Asante has been the first-choice number nine so far this season, but Maja’s emergence should see the forward dropped after a disappointing run of form.
In other West Brom news, Corberan made a new claim about the level West Brom are at.