Josh Maja boost for West Brom as Steve Hermon shares new play-off verdict
West Brom are aiming to finish in the Championship play-off places, and have now been handed a huge boost.
The Baggies are sixth in the table heading into the final two months of the season, but are level on points with Bristol City in seventh.
With such tight margins at play in the Championship, any small advantage could be crucial, as West Brom aims to return to the Premier League for the first time since 2021.
Eight games remain in the push for promotion, and West Brom may now be more confident of achieving their goals.
Josh Maja to return from injury before end of season
West Brom striker Josh Maja has been absent since January with a calf problem, but despite missing nearly three months of action, he is still the club’s top scorer.
Tony Mowbray’s side have won just four of the 12 matches they have faced without Maja, and the 26-year-old’s importance to the side could not be clearer.
Speaking to the BBC, reporter Steve Hermon revealed that West Brom expect Maja to return to play a part in the play-off push.
| Stat | Josh Maja |
| Appearances | 26 |
| Goals | 12 |
| Assists | 2 |
“Tony Mowbray, who reached a play-off final in his first spell, also hopes to have top scorer Josh Maja back for the end-of-season run,” he revealed.
This is a game-changing boost for West Brom, who may now back themselves to reach the Premier League if Maja can return fit and firing.
“A strike force of Maja and last season’s Wembley match-winner Adam Armstrong would arguably be the best in the division. It’s theirs to lose,” he added.
Will West Brom reach the play-offs?
West Brom know that one slip-up could jeopardise their play-off hopes, with Bristol City level on points, and there is a crucial game against them coming up at Ashton Gate.
Should Mowbray’s side win at Bristol City, they could open up a gap which could see them clinch the last play-off spot. However, if they lose, they will be fighting an uphill battle.
Both sides are almost certain to drop more points between now and the end of the season, but West Brom need to ensure that they stay out in front above Bristol City in the table.
Maja’s potential return would give West Brom a huge boost for their final fixtures, and should they reach the play-offs, he would give the Baggies a much bigger chance of returning to the Premier League.