Deago Nelson must be ready to step into West Brom breach v Burnley as injury crisis rises
West Brom youngster Deago Nelson could be called upon by Carlos Corberan against Burnley on Thursday after Gianluca Frabotta joined the Albion injury list.
Frabotta missed training ahead of Albion hosting the Clarets on 7 November and becomes the latest in a series of defenders set for time on the sidelines.
With Kyle Bartley, Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair also in the treatment room, Corberan has been forced to reshuffle at the back, but Frabotta’s absence will leave no senior cover on the bench.
As a result, the Spaniard may turn his attention towards the Under-23s to fill the gap, and there’s no defender better placed to do so than Nelson, who signed a new two-year deal over the summer.
Deago Nelson must be ready for West Brom first-team duties
There’s no denying that despite a superb start to the new Championship season, Albion are doing things tough right now – winless in their last seven matches and drawing five in a row.
Looking to break that against fellow promotion-chasers Burnley is already a difficult ask, and that’s without considering that Corberan is missing many of his first-choice backline.
Bartley and Ajayi’s starting centre-back roles have been filled by Mason Holgate and new Norway international Torbjorn Heggem, with McNair’s second start ending in a potentially loan-ending injury.
Frabotta joining the trio on the sidelines could see Nelson come onto the bench against Burnley, with the 18-year-old being given a taste of first-team football in Albion’s EFL Cup loss to Fleetwood Town.
Nelson won’t be expecting to get onto the pitch – given Corberan is already trying to gel a new-look defensive combination together – but the faith shown in him in the form of a two-year contract suggests that he is the next player to take the step up.
In other West Brom news, Corberan is expected to make three changes against Burnley as Albion look to get back to winning ways.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.