Top gun Kevin Phillips is on the brink of an immediate call to arms tomorrow as the Baggies get ready to welcome back a quartet of crocked stars.
Phillips and fellow knee injury victims Ishmael Miller, James Morrison and Martin Albrechtsen have all ended a week of full training by telling Hawthorns boss Tony Mowbray they are desperate to play again.
Their en-masse plea for a recall will be weighed against Albion’s forthcoming schedule and the success of the “stand-in squad” who have kept the Baggies on the heels of leaders Watford during their absence.
But with third place Charlton bringing a real challenge to Albion’s promotion credentials in tomorrow’s lunchtime cracker at The Hawthorns, Mowbray admits that he is toying with the idea of starting with his 10-goal striker Phillips.
“Kevin’s got a chance of being on the bench and I haven’t ruled out the fact I could play him with a view to him making an impact and then bringing him off,” he said.
“He’s trained for 10 days or so and has looked very sharp. With the way he’s been scoring in training, it’s like he hasn’t been away.
“Ishmael has trained for three of four days and it’s great to have his quick feet and strength back on the training ground.
“But all the lads coming back from injuries have asked me if they can be involved at the weekend.
“One or two of them might be. Some of them are ready. Some aren’t. But they’re all training exceptionally well and looking bright as buttons.
“I’ve got my own thoughts on how far on each of their training is and whether I think they can contribute or not. But they’re all telling me that they’re ready!”
11 Comments
Don’t rush him, maybe name him as a sub and use him in the last 20 mins if we need to. UIt’s a big game but there are a lot of games coming up.
If they need match practise, I’m sure Mick McCarthy would’nt mind having them on loan!
Before I begin I have wrote a little ditty ….
Now “Breens” my computer
The one that i use ‘fer
Gaining access to the Internet
Problem is he’s got useless
No back up it’s fruitless
Windows’ openeing shall i replace him…eh Jez.
Great news that we are soon to have our injured players back in the fray. What will the rest of the division be thinking now.
My only concern would be that, fantastic though it is, we now have the luxury due to the performance of the whole squad, to ease people back in so we do not get recurrances of the injuries.
I am only glad i don’t have the headache of who to play where.
Hopefully not jinxing it but I can see us beating Charlton especially as they have some injury and suspension worries of their own, and we have players desperate tp stake a claim for a jersey.
Boing Boing!!
I’d leave him on the bench and start with Bednar myself, dont see the need to rush him into the side when Bednar is on top form at the moment, but i dont think anyone will/has guessed the right team selection so far this season!
What is all that about, Baggie (3) - no offence but you do need to stick to the day job!!!
I think you should leave him out for a long while - say to July - then he’ll be really fully recovered. You cannot be too careful with the Phillips of the world. He needs lots of TLC so give the guy a rest.
In fact, Mowbary shouldn’t play him again because there are so many players in your squad that are ‘desperate’ according to Baggie born and (in) bred.
This is another big decision by your super manager Mowbary. he should stop walking across the river trent creating a five course meal out of three crisps and a diet coke and reveal all soon.
We at Molineux stand in awe of his deliverences….
E11 London Wolf
What did all that mean, i presume its a compliment. Players are desperate to play, i feel this due to the fact we do PLAY, no hoof like your lot. Play Phillips, Miller,Bednar,beattie its TM’s choice…. but how nice it is to have a choice what you reckon wolfie ???
I would start Phillips, it is easier to sub a starter than to sub a sub!!
Dear ‘Baggie’
Being a Wolves fan for 45 years I have never known WBA to be anything other than ‘desperate’.
In regards to Phillips it is a compliment. He really is exactly the player to get you into the premiere league (says I sobbing and wishing he played for us)
And yet you have so many other players who can score goals (even Beattie amazingly) - that it is simply not fair.
You ought to offer a couple to Wolves on loan (Miller will do nicely) so that the best interests of Midlands football is satisfied and we both can get into the premiere league and collectively stuff the real enemy - the Villa .
E 11 London Wolf
Bugger all to do with this article.
I`m working in Beckton for a few weeks, beginning soon,
can you recommend a good hotel ?
i normally stay in Ilford, but the standard of the hotels there are not so good.
Appreciate any advice mate.
9 E11 London Wolf:
That has to be comment of the day!
What time is everyone meeting @ Covent Garden tomorrow?