John Swift returns to matchday squad as Carlos Corberan sticks to his guns – confirmed West Brom XI v Middlesbrough
Carlos Corberan has named his West Brom XI to face Middlesbrough on Saturday (23 December) with zero changes made.
The Baggies confirmed their starting XI on their official X account (23 December) for the game with Corberan making zero changes from the team which drew with Stoke City last weekend.
John Swift returns to the matchday squad in a crucial boost for Corberan and takes his spot on the bench for the Baggies but the Spaniard sticks to his guns with the same line-up.
Early gift needed
West Brom have taken four points from the last 12 available in the Championship, not exactly the greatest return for a club hoping to still be in the top six of the division come May.
So, Carlos Corberan will be desperately hoping for an early Christmas present today at the Riverside Stadium, and there can be no greater gift for a football manager than three points – especially away from home.
Of course, the Baggies have been hindered somewhat by a growing injury list, so a nice little stocking filler would be the side coming through this clash unscathed and ready to go again during an extremely busy festive period.
This next week might tell us a lot about West Brom’s ability to stay the course in the race for the top six, let’s all hope that they can start this festive season on the right foot and start looking ahead to 2023 with plenty of positivity. It’s over to the players now.
Swift’s return to the line-up is a boost for West Brom with his creative ingenuity certainly needed for the Baggies should they need a piece of magic in the second half in what is a must-win game.
In other West Brom news, the Athletic journalist Phil Hay has delivered a play-off verdict on the Baggies.