Josh Maja injury verdict emerges from doctor ahead of West Brom showdown v Southampton
Josh Maja is unlikely to start for West Brom in their second-leg clash against Southampton on Friday night, according to Dr Rajpal Brar.
Maja, 25, wasn’t named in Carlos Corberan’s matchday squad when Albion drew 0-0 with the Saints in the first leg of their Championship play-off clash at The Hawthorns last week.
As quoted by the Express & Star on 12 May, Corberan said he didn’t think the former Sunderland striker was physically capable of even making his bench for that goalless game.
The one-time Nigeria international could yet be involved in the second leg after battling his way back to fitness after a serious ankle injury [Shropshire Star].
Will Josh Maja be available for West Brom clash v Southampton at St Mary’s?
However, injury expert Dr Brar – who is a physical therapy specialist and sports scientist – has told West Brom News that he doesn’t see Maja being able to start the second leg or the Championship play-off final if Albion make it to Wembley.
“Maja has returned from a lengthy setback due to an ankle ligament injury,” Dr Brar said.
“Giving him a few minutes off the bench is the right way, in my opinion, to ensure he does not suffer a re-injury.
“The plan is always to gradually increase minutes and the intensity of his workload.
“The talk of him playing the full 90 minutes is pretty advanced, as things stand.
“I do not see him being ready to start a play-off game, even if they make the final as he’s far from being at 100 per cent.“
Maja has managed just 12 Championship appearances for the Baggies after joining them on a free transfer in the summer.
His one and only goal came in the 2-1 home defeat to Leicester on 2 December, one week before he suffered his ankle injury due to a horrific challenge from Sunderland’s Dan Ballard.
Since that appearance against the Black Cats – which is to date Maja’s only start for Albion – the Nigerian striker has played just three times with all of those coming as a substitute.
In other West Brom news, Okay Yokuslu has shared what he expects from Southampton on Friday night.
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