Double injury blow plunges West Brom into defensive crisis
Albion have been plunged into a defensive crisis with centre-back pair Paddy McNair and Semi Ajayi both facing extended spells on the sidelines with hamstring injuries.
Ajayi has been ruled out for around four months after undergoing surgery on an injury sustained in last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Cardiff, while McNair will miss two months after going off early in the same match.
With Kyle Bartley also facing around six weeks out after undergoing a minor procedure, it means the Baggies have lost three centre-backs to injury in the space of a fortnight.
In a further blow, striker Daryl Dike is now not expected back until after Christmas after suffering a hamstring injury in training. The USA international had been nearing the final stages of recovery from an Achilles injury sustained in February.
Yet it is the fresh injuries in defence which are most pressing with Mason Holgate and Torbjorn Heggem the only recognised centre-backs now available to Corberan. Heggem has spent most of this season playing at left-back.
"Always in my life, when I have been facing difficulties, you need to be focussed on the solutions not the problems and we can find solutions according to these needs that we are going to have,” said the Albion boss, who is remaining upbeat.
Corberan listed left-back Gianluca Frabotta and midfielder Ousmane Diakite as options to deputise in the heart of defence.
He added: "When you create a squad the challenge sometimes is there are players not being used but they are in the squad for these reasons.
“Players that didn't play a lot are going to have the possibility to help the team, to compete and to defend our club on the pitch.
"It is a pity because all the injuries are similar positions in terms of centre backs but it is what it is. We still have very good solutions.”
Ajayi went off injured late in last Saturday’s match, while McNair lasted only four minutes before having to be replaced.
Corberan said: “Semi needed surgery and with this surgery you are out for around 16 weeks. It was an injury in the hamstring.
"Paddy is different. He didn't need surgery but he will be around two months more or less. So maybe now it is around seven weeks as the game was last week. That is the last update on these players.
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