Carlos Corberan to start Jed Wallace in two changes – West Brom predicted XI v Leicester City
Carlos Corberan could turn to club captain Jed Wallace to lead the line in the absence of the suspended Brandon Thomas-Asante when West Brom face Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on 20 April.
Thomas-Asante was sent off shortly before half-time last time out against Sunderland for two bookable offences committed in quick succession, leaving the Baggies a man short, which undeniably contributed to their 1-0 defeat at the Hawthorns.
The striker’s ban leaves Corberan with a problem to solve up front – in addition to the 25-year-old’s absence, fellow centre-forward Daryl Dike is out injured for the rest of the season, while Callum Marshall is back at West Ham due to a lack of game-time. He can be recalled but it seems unlikely.
Josh Maja, meanwhile, is the most natural alternative but has just made a comeback of his own from a lengthy spell on the sidelines and is unlikely to be fit enough to start, given he has played just seven minutes off the bench against Rotherham United since returning and was not included in the squad at all against Sunderland.
That leaves skipper Wallace as the most likely solution, with the winger filling in up front on several occasions this season when more natural options were unavailable.
Carlos Corberan could make two West Brom changes against Leicester City
However, the enforced replacement of Thomas-Asante may not be the only alteration Corberan makes to the side he fielded from the start against Sunderland.
Nathaniel Chalobah was handed his first start since 20 February – a 3-0 win at Plymouth Argyle – against the Black Cats but was hooked at half-time for Adam Reach, suggesting Corberan was less than enamoured with the midfielder’s contribution.
However, it may not be Reach who takes Chalobah’s place in the starting line-up, but Okay Yokuslu.
The Turkish midfielder has been a regular fixture in the Baggies side this season, playing 3,009 Championship minutes – only four players have more – and is the most likely candidate to slot back into the side.
Those four players with more league minutes for West Brom than Yokuslu are goalkeeper Alex Palmer, right-back Darnell Furlong, centre-back Cedric Kipre and midfielder Alex Mowatt, all of whom should retain their places.
Kyle Bartley will likely continue to partner Kipre at the heart of defence, while Conor Townsend completes the back four at left-back.
Ahead of the midfield double pivot and behind makeshift striker Wallace, the trio of Tom Fellows, Grady Diangana and Mikey Johnston could also keep their spots.
In other West Brom news, Corberan has shared a “difficult” Matt Phillips fitness update.
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