Credit: Breaking Media

Daniel Lewis

Sun 10 May 2026 12:00, UK

West Bromwich Albion boss James Morrison will no doubt already be making plans ahead of 2026-27 Championship campaign, with Mikey Johnston heavily involved in those.

The Baggies ended this past campaign one place above the relegation zone in what was a difficult season for all involved.

After the failed appointments of Ryan Mason and Eric Ramsay, Morrison provided the lift the Baggies needed to beat the drop.

Losing Johnston to injury for the final two months of the campaign certainly did not help, but the Republic of Ireland international could soon be back.

That is following an encouraging West Brom injury update that has now emerged via Morrison himself.

Mikey Johnston injury latest ahead of 2026-27 season

Johnston has not kicked a ball in anger for West Brom since the 2-1 loss to Oxford United on 28 February.

The 27-year-old was never particularly close to returning for Albion’s run-in in what was a blow for Morrison.

Johnston scored two goals and assisted nine more in 34 matches before being struck down by injury, making his the Baggies’ best performer pound-for-pound.

But in some positive news ahead of the summer, Morrison has now revealed Johnston is on course to be back in time for pre-season.

West Brom return for pre-season training around the start of July, but Johnston should be back on the grass by the end of June.

“He had his first running session a couple of weeks ago and is progressing well after an injury,” Morrison is quoted as saying by The Express & Star.

“It’s always nice, that first feeling when you can put your boots on and see your progression. Those first few weeks where you can’t really do much and you’re stuck in the gym are hard.

“When you get outside and everyone can see you it is a big boost. He’ll have a pre-season, he will be ready.”

While Morrison did not state as much, you would expect Johnston to get straight into his pre-season programme when back to fitness, rather than waiting until July.

Johnston injury lay-off a long-term blessing in disguise

The fact Morrison kept West Brom up, even with two points deducted, is made all the more special when you consider it was done without Johnston.

The Irishman will hopefully return raring to go and ready to make up for lost time, with this injury issue soon to be a thing of the past.

Prior to Johnston being injured, he found himself being linked with a number of clubs higher up the food chain.

Those rumours have completely gone away as a result of Johnston going off the radar as he rehabbed from injury.

That can only be good news for West Brom, with Johnston seeming certain to be at The Hawthorns come the start of the new campaign – one in which he will hopefully play a full part in.