West Brom: Matt Phillips spotted training after long-term absence at The Hawthorns
A photo has emerged of long-term West Brom absentee Matt Phillips back doing light training.
The Express & Star posted an image (2 February) of the senior Baggies attacker back on the grass at the Baggies’ training ground following the bad injury he suffered in early December.
Phillips was originally ruled out for four months and it remains to see whether the Scotland international is ahead of schedule as West Brom prepare to take on cross-city rivals Birmingham City on Saturday (3 February).
The 32-year-old is not forecast to return until April at the earliest, leaving around a month of the regular Championship campaign and the possibility of the play-offs that he could feature in but the latest images leave hope for an earlier-than-expected return.
Matt Phillips offers potential Carlos Corberan boost for West Brom
It’s positive news to see Phillips back training after he has endured a difficult time with injuries over the past few years.
West Brom have been pretty active in the transfer market in January, bringing in three players in Andreas Weimann, Callum Marshall and Mikey Johnston all on loan deals until the end of the season.
Corberan is certainly well-stocked in the attacking department right now, which is excellent news for the whole club as they look to maintain their Championship playoff chase.
What’s even more crucial is the experience and players of a winning culture and mentality that has been added especially in Weimann and Johnston who both have an experience not many of the first team have tasted which is incredibly welcome.
Phillips also possesses that experience but his injury in December proved a huge blow but West Brom have certainly done well to stem the tide especially given the number of injuries they suffered back then.
The Scotland international’s contract runs out at the end of the season so it remains to be seen whether or not the Baggies decide to hand him a new deal.
However, even if he doesn’t return until April, his presence and leadership at the back end of the season could an almighty good for the squad with the hope that West Brom are in the playoffs when it comes around in May.
In other West Brom news, Tony Brown has shared his reaction after what he saw from one Albion player in the Black Country derby.
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