James Morrison and Gareth McAuley face West Brom fitness race
Tony Pulis has revealed Albion duo Gareth McAuley and James Morrison are facing a battle to be ready for the start of the Premier League season.
Both men are yet to feature in pre-season due to injury and while neither is serious, head coach Pulis is unsure whether either will be ready for the season opener with Bournemouth on August 12.
Defender McAuley is still trying to shake off a thigh problem sustained while on international duty with Northern Ireland.
Midfielder Morrison is, meanwhile, suffering with a knee injury. The 31-year-old’s preparations were further hampered when he missed the Premier League Asia Trophy following the death of a close friend.
“Moz has missed out as well as McAuley,” said Pulis. “They are the two we’ve got problems and issues with.
“By the time the season starts they’ll be closer. Whether they’ll be able to start we’re not sure. We’re hoping by the time the season starts they will be around about fit.”
Morrison had been named in the squad for Wednesday’s friendly at Walsall but did not feature in the game.
Striker Jay Rodriguez and defender Ahmed Hegazi remain the club’s only signings to this point of the summer and Pulis has made no secret of his need to add numbers to what is now a worryingly threadbare squad. Yet the boss has been encouraged by the impact of both new boys.
Rodriguez, who joined from Southampton in a deal which could eventually be worth a club record £15million, scored his second goal in three pre-season appearances when he bagged the only goal in Wednesday’s 1-0 win at Burton.
Hegazi, meanwhile, was named man-of-the-match at the Pirelli Stadium after an assured performance at the back.
The Egyptian international was something of a surprise signing when he moved to The Hawthorns from Al-Ahly earlier this month, initially on a one-year-loan deal. But Pulis has been impressed.
“Hegazi has been a real bonus for us. He looks a good player,” he said.
“They were very good at Burton, the two of them. Jay never stopped running.
“His energy and the fact he’ll score, he’s always scored right through his career, gives us that extra bit.”
“Hal (Robson-Kanu) played and scored at Walsall so there’s good competition there. But we need more all over the place.”
