John Swift should not play again until 2024 as Carlos Corberan shares fresh West Brom injury worry
John Swift has suffered two worrying West Brom injury blows in the space of two months and he may require prolonged rest to ensure he steers clear of possible recurrences.
Manager Carlos Corberan revealed that Swift felt injuries to his calf and hamstring during training last week, which was why he missed out as West Brom drew 1-1 with Stoke on Sunday (17 December).
Corberan confessed that Swift was supposed to resume full training with the team following his return to the squad against Rotherham before feeling muscle issues in training.
The boss went on to comment that it is proving a challenge to keep his key players at their peak fitness level this season, but he is trying to manage the situation.
Speaking to Birmingham Live [19 December], the boss revealed: “Last week it was planned for him to train normally because we recovered after Rotherham and he didn’t play minutes and he recovered the next day.
“The idea was for him to train normally on Thursday but after he still felt something in the calf, he didn’t train Friday and in training on Saturday he felt something in the hamstring. I am managing the situation with him day by day because I cannot manage in a different way.
“We need everyone at the best level, to keep the best level in all of the season is a challenge. For me when the players have any type of physical problem it’s difficult for them to reach normal levels.”
Following serious injuries to both Matt Phillips and Josh Maja in recent weeks, Corberan’s attacking options have once again been decimated when it looked as if he would finally have a full roster to choose from.
The news that Swift suffered a double injury in training will be another bitter blow to Albion and their chances of remaining consistent as they challenge for a playoff spot.
Birmingham Live do claim that Corberan believes Swift won’t be out of action for long but given Corberan’s comments that he will have to manage the situation surely suggests that the former Chelsea and Reading playmaker may not be ready for consistent minutes in this gruelling fixture list.
It may well be more plausible for West Brom to hand him a two-week recuperation period to ensure Swift is in tip-top shape and fitness for another crucial month in January and beyond.
Whether that will happen remains uncertain given how crucial Swift is at The Hawthorns. So far this season, the 28-year-old has bagged six goals and registered one assist but his influence goes beyond that, averaging 1.5 key passes per game [SofaScore].
There is no other creative outlet like Swift that Corberan possesses so the Spaniard may want Swift back in action as quickly as he can but that may prove a critical mistake to Swift’s long-term fitness.
It is best the Englishman be given a rest until the new year.
In other West Brom news, a near £7billion development may shape the club’s January plans with Carlos Corberan to be demanding.