Mason Holgate absence explained after West Brom reveal v Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom have explained why Mason Holgate misses out on their matchday squad to face Sheffield Wednesday at The Hawthorns.
Albion named their starting XI ahead of kick-off on Saturday, with Kyle Bartley returning to captain Tony Mowbray’s side at the back and partner Torbjorn Heggem in central defence.
New signing Isaac Price and post-Deadline Day loanee Adam Armstrong are both given their first starts, with Joe Wildsmith named between the sticks after Alex Palmer was sold to Ipswich Town.
Mason Holgate may not be missed for West Brom
Holgate, however, has dropped out of the squad entirely, with the club explaining in their social media post that the Jamaican international’s absence is due to illness.
Holgate has been a regular starter for the Albion since Bartley was ruled out with various injury issues towards the back end of 2024, starting all three Championship matches under Mowbray so far.
Bartley being back in the side, however, will spark several sighs of relief from all four corners of The Hawthorns, given some of the frantic displays Holgate has put in at the back since his absence.
While Armstrong coming straight into the starting XI – and Karlan Grant also returning to assist him in the frontline – will grab all the headlines, Bartley being back in the heart of defence can’t be understated.
Baggies fans have certainly made their feelings known when it comes to Holgate’s shakiness at the back, and while he was thrown in at the deep end amid an injury crisis, he could certainly have been more solid.
Holgate only being out through injury does alleviate fears that Albion have suffered yet another defensive injury, but it remains to be seen if he can find a way back into the side now Bartley is fit again.