Cedric Kipre has seen his form improve massively since returning to West Brom.

West Brom team news v Stoke: Cedric Kipre update from The Hawthorns

Jonny is a University of Leeds journalism graduate who became part of the FootballInsider team in Spring 2024, and recently worked as Head of Media for Widnes Vikings Rugby League club. Writing as a freelance reporter and commentator for The Sporting News and StatsPerform, he has covered matches in competitions including the FIFA Men's and Women's World Cups, as well as the Champions League, Women's Euro 2022, Six Nations and the Rugby Union World Cup.

Published on:

04 Apr 2024, 1:36 pm

West Brom manager Carlos Corberan is confident that Cedric Kipre will be fit enough to play a part in the Baggies' next match, away at Stoke City on April 6.

Speaking to the club's official website, Corberan said the Baggies' centre-back is firmly in contention to make a return against Stoke, having picked up an injury in Good Friday's 1-1 draw with Millwall.

West Brom currently sit fifth in the Championship table, eight points clear of seventh-placed Coventry City having lost just once in their last 12 games and drawing 2-2 .

On Kipre's availability ahead of Albion's clash with Stoke, Corberan admitted; “With an injection, he probably could have played (against Watford). He has been training well with the group and that gives us a lot of confidence in terms of his availability for Saturday’s game at Stoke City."

Kipre's return welcome as Baggies look to shore up play-off place

Having started 38 of West Brom's previous 39 Championship matches this season, Kipre has been a key cog in a defence which has conceded just 39 goals so far in 2023-24 - the third-best record in the division.

Without the Ivorian marshalling things at the back, Albion fell 2-0 down in the second half against Watford and required a thumping 91st minute strike from Darnell Furlong to secure a point.

Kipre's form this season has helped West Brom to the league's third-best defence and 16 clean sheets.

With 16 clean sheets so far this season, it's rare that the Baggies concede at all in a game, let alone twice, and have only conceded three goals once - against Birmingham in October - suggesting that Kipre's return is crucial for Corberan's side to maintain their lofty position in the table.

The Ivorian's fellow defenders, and Corberan most of all, will be hoping he's back in the team and back to his best this weekend.

In other West Brom news, David Prutton has predicted the Baggies to edge their upcoming Championship match against Stoke City.

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