Carlos Corberan issues prayer for West Brom's two-week break
Albion boss Carlos Corberan is praying his international defenders avoid injury over the next week to avoid a pile-up worsening.
The Hawthorns head coach has his fingers crossed Torbjorn Heggem and Mason Holgate can return from trips with Norway and Jamaica respectively in good health.
The Baggies have been struck by an injury crisis in defence as centre-back trio Kyle Bartley (knee), Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair (both hamstring) were sidelined in the space of a week last month.
It left Corberan with just Torbjorn Heggem, who had played all of his debut campaign to date at left-back, and loanee Mason Holgate as recognised senior options. Left-back Gianluca Frabotta last week sustained a minor groin complaint as Callum Styles grasped his opportunity on the left side of defence.
Now Heggem and Holgate jet off for action with their countries - Jamaica face a double-header with the United States and Norway tackle Slovenia and Kazakhstan - and Corberan is hoping divine intervention will help avoid any more setbacks.
"Now I need to pray that I don't suffer injuries to the international players!" said Corberan, whose side signed off the break with a first win in nine at Hull.
"With Holgate, who is with Jamaica, or with Heggem who goes with his national team.
"It is true we are now in one challenging defensive moment with the bodies we have. We have the injury of Paddy, that we are not going to recover him (soon), Bartley, who will recover soon, Semi, who we are not going to recover, and Frabotta who we will recover soon.
"We need to keep the same ones and of course add the two back from injury (soon) because they are ones we need."
On-loan Everton stopper Holgate made his debut for Jamaica in the break last month and returned with a slight injury but was able to make a swift return, which Albion were grateful for given a lack of bodies otherwise.
Corberan underlined his fitness concern as Albion were scheduled to play on Thursday evening and Sunday lunchtime last week, something the Spaniard disagreed with and labelled a "risk" to his players. He said defensive trio Styles, Heggem and Holgate all reached their physical limits after the former clash against Burnley.
Right-back Darnell Furlong was spotted limping against Hull on Sunday. Academy full-back Deago Nelson, 18, is yet to make his league debut and has been Albion's sole defensive option on the bench.
Midfielder Ousmane Diakite was used as a late substitute to make up a back three as Albion held on to win at Hull.
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