New West Brom fitness worry emerges for John Swift at The Hawthorns
West Brom now have another new fitness worry at The Hawthorns after midfielder John Swift wasn’t involved in their 1-0 defeat to Swansea City on New Year’s Day, according to Lewis Cox.
The Express & Star journalist, taking to his Twitter account (1 January) revealed that Swift completed training on New Year’s Eve with calf pain but scans gave him the all-clear to feature in Wales.
The former Reading and Chelsea playmaker was named on the bench for the game and warmed up during the first half with no problems but felt pain after the interval.
It is now another fresh blow for the Baggies who have seen their attack now severely depleted.
Jed Wallace is on the treatment table again after his injury against Leeds United, Jeremy Sarmiento returned to his parent club Brighton on New Year’s Day and Grady Diangana will now head to DR Congo’s training camp ahead of this month’s African Cup of Nations.
Cox posted: “Swift completed prep yesterday as starting no10, felt pain in the calf, scan clear, on the bench. Warm up first half felt fine, HT onwards felt pain.”
Sorry Corberan
It’s like West Brom cannot get through a Championship matchday without having a fresh injury issue to contend with and Swift’s latest blow is yet another huge one for Corberan.
The Baggies playmaker has certainly endured his fair share of niggles and injury issues this season and there’s a case to argue that had he been fit all campaign, the club may well be in a stronger position in the table.
Swift is so crucial for West Brom but his fitness issues are a concern as seen during the Swansea City defeat. He looks fine one moment then is completely derailed the next.
Corberan must be absolutely reeling right now and it’s the same thing that can be said about Wallace. Both he and Swift are so crucial for the club but aren’t always at 100% every week.
With Sarmiento gone, Diangana on international duty, Josh Maja and Daryl Dike not yet ready, who Corberan turns to in their absence in attack is severely limited. Tom Fellows impressed in Wales but it’s too soon to hand him huge responsibilities, but Corberan may well be forced to.
Yet another damaging issue now emerges for West Brom. Any response in the January window? That is incredibly uncertain with their financial issues behind the scenes.
In other West Brom news, two senior players could be set for an exit from The Hawthorns in January, one other youth product attracting plenty of interest already.