Carlos Corberan cannot now sanction Tom Fellows exit at West Brom after Jeremy Sarmiento recall
There are certainly happier starts to a New Year than seeing one influential player depart West Brom with 2024 in its very infancy.
Okay, fair enough, Jeremy Sarmiento was not the Baggies’ player outright, he was after after all only on a loan from Brighton for the season.
But it was still hugely disappointing news to see the Seagulls had recalled the 21-year-old Ecuadorian winger who, after an injury-hit start, was growing in stature at The Hawthorns.
It provides an even bigger headache for boss Carlos Corberan given Daryl Dike and Josh Maja are out injured, as is the experienced Matt Phillips.
John Swift and Jed Wallace have also had fitness concerns at this season and when you put it all into context the fact Corberan has the Baggies battling for promotion is pretty astounding.
However, the Spaniard must not forget any notion of letting one player go in January, especially if a couple of additions are not forthcoming.
Sunday Mirror journalist Darren Witcoop tweeted on December 31 that Tom Fellows is attracting interest during the January window, in a post stating Adam Reach and Martin Kelly could be on the move.
Reach has been injured all season but even letting him go would be a risk due to the lack of options. But Fellows is only 20 and has three Championship appearances to his name this season.
West Brom should be looking at tying him down to fresh terms with his contract due to expire in six months, not entertaining the idea of him leaving.
Sarmiento going back is a blow and while Fellows is not at the level of his now ex-teammate just yet, he still has room to grow and frankly there is an opportunity for him to stake a claim for more regular football in the short term.
In other West Brom news, apparently the Baggies could now be in the hunt to sign two attackers.