Three potential replacements for Mikey Johnston as West Brom confirm injury layoff
West Brom winger Mikey Johnston has been diagnosed with a stress fracture of the ankle, the club have confirmed.
Johnston suffered the injury just 22 minutes into West Brom‘s 2-1 defeat to Oxford United on 28 February, and it may rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
The injury usually takes between six and 12 weeks to heal, and the final game of the season is scheduled for 11 April, which is six weeks away.
It is a devastating blow for interim boss James Morrison, who is fighting desperately to keep The Hawthorns side in the Championship, but his focus must now turn to who can replace the Irishman.
Ollie Bostock could be West Brom’s saviour
Ollie Bostock came on for Johnston in the loss to the Yellows, and the position could now be his to lose after his showing in that contest.
The 19-year-old had only made four senior appearances for Albion before he was called upon by Morrison.
That is a huge show of faith and he justified it, with a performance that saw his 25-yard effort deflected past the hosts’ goalkeeper to reduce the deficit.
He also had three shots, attempted six crosses, per Sofascore, and also tried to help out defensively in an encouraging performance.
Bostock made one clearance, three recoveries, and won three of the seven ground duels that he attempted in the contest.
Sometimes a player comes from nowhere and completely changes a team’s season, and the Wales Under-19 ace could be that man for the B71 outfit.
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba could also step up
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba rejoined his boyhood club on loan from Aston Villa in the winter transfer window.
He has made six appearances so far in all competitions, without a goal or assist, with four total chances created in that time.
The Villa loanee made one chance for his teammates at the Kassam Stadium, and attempted one cross, but his impact was underwhelming given that he was handed a 26-minute cameo.
That suggests that Morrison needs to see more from the 19-year-old if he is to see more first-team action, rather than sitting on the bench.
Eseosa Sule is a potential wildcard
Eseosa Sule is one of the highest-rated talents in the academy, and while he is typically a centre-forward, he could do a job on the flank.
His pace could cause problems for opposition defenders, and he has shown that he is a top-class finisher at youth level.
He has made just one senior appearance, so it would be a wildcard, but that may be exactly what the Baggies need to revive a miserable campaign.
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