West Brom: BBC Sport pundit reacts as new Martin Kelly injury news emerges at The Hawthorns
Matt Jarvis has reacted to the news that West Brom defender Martin Kelly made his return from injury in an under-21s fixture on Monday 15 January.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined since February 2023 when he sustained a major knee injury during his loan spell with Wigan Athletic, which saw him ruled out for the remainder of the League One season and the first half of the Championship campaign.
But Kelly appeared as a substitute in the Baggies’ Premier League 2 defeat to West Ham United, coming on as a substitute as Albion lost 4-2 to the Hammers, but the veteran was just pleased to be back out on the grass.
In an Instagram post on Monday (15 January), Kelly shared just how great a feeling it was to be back on the pitch, with BBC Sport pundit Jarvis one of the first to reply saying: “Love that mate!”
Former Baggie Dara O’Shea also praised the 33-year-old, commenting: “Love it Kells”, while former England international and Luton winger Andros Townsend replied: “Go on the big dog”.
Huge news
It is great to see Kelly back on the field and back in West Brom colours after an incredibly frustrating period for the defender. The 33-year-old has been forced to watch from the sidelines for months on end and finally got back on the field on Monday.
While it may not have been the ideal result or the ideal level to be making a return at, it is a huge step in the right direction for the Baggies defender and means that he is now a game closer to returning to Carlos Corberan’s side.
He may not have been heavily involved in Albion’s season last year, but as West Brom approach the Championship run-in, they’re going to need the experienced heads in their dressing room to help keep the group grounded and moving in the right direction.
Hopefully, as Kelly steps up his recovery, he will be fit and raring to go ready to play a part in the second half of the season at The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, Lewis Cox has revealed how the Baggies will share the £1.3million raised through the sale of Taylor Gardner-Hickman