West Brom manager Carlos Corberan

Lewis Cox explains Pipa absence in West Brom v Norwich City clash

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Published on:

26 Dec 2023, 10:11 am

Pipa was not named in the West Brom squad to face Norwich City on Boxing Day (26 December) due to a knock, according to Express & Star journalist Lewis Cox.

The versatile right-sided Spaniard reportedly picked up the knock in the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough on Saturday (December 23), a match in which the 25-year-old came off the bench.

Consequently, he was not involved in any capacity against the Canaries at The Hawthorns, though the severity of the issue was disclosed.

Taking to X, Cox posted: "No Pipa in the matchday squad. Suggestion he picked up knock on Sat."

Not more fitness woes

There is no doubt that Carlos Corberan has been a little unlucky with injuries to his squad this season and you cannot help but wonder if things would be going even better had he been able to have a fully fit squad more readily available.

Jed Wallace, John Swift and Jeremy Sarmiento have had fitness issues at various points of the campaign. Daryl Dike and Adam Reach have been missing all season, and Josh Maja is now of course a long-term absentee.

There was no real suggestion from Cox that the issue for Pipa, who has by and large warmed the bench for the Baggies this season, is serious and hopefully Corberan will offer a little more clarity on his injury.

But what Corberan will definitely not want is to see another member of his squad in the treatment room, especially given we are still in the middle of a hugely hectic festive period in the Championship.

In other West Brom news, the Baggies may lose on key player in January after a financial update.

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Pipa