Express & Star

Chris Brunt: West Brom can cope without 'big player' Jonny Evans

Chris Brunt admits Jonny Evans is a ‘big player’ for the Baggies but says the squad can cope without their influential skipper.

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Chris Brunt with Jonny Evans. (AMA)

Evans could leave Albion for Manchester City this summer if Pep Guardiola’s team match the board’s £30million valuation of their star defender after having their opening £18m bid rejected.

But the Baggies back-line has survived the opening three games of the season without the 29-year-old and let in just one goal so far – a consolation strike for Accrington Stanley.

Loanee Ahmed Hegazi has struck up a blossoming relationship at the heart of defence with Craig Dawson, who has been moved inside to his preferred position from right-back.

And Brunt, who has played left-back for the opening two league games of the season, says because Pulis meticulously works all of his defenders, losing one is not catastrophic.

“We're pretty well drilled as a unit, regardless of who's in the team or not, everyone knows what's expected of them when they're on the pitch,” said Brunt. “Jonny's a big player for us, he's done really well since he's been at the club.

“He hasn't been there this season, and he missed a few games last season and the lads stepped in and did their job. We've got a decent squad that knows what's expected of them.”

Pulis has been without both of his first-choice centre-backs so far this season because Evans is suffering from a hamstring injury and Gareth McAuley has a thigh problem that will keep him out until after the international break.

But the Baggies enter this Sunday’s home game against Stoke with two clean sheets from their opening two league games.

“It's a difficult league to win games in, no matter what the stage so to hit the ground running with two wins and two clean sheets is great,” said Brunt. “The gaffer takes a lot of pride in defending well so two from two I'm sure he'll be delighted.”

The back four’s stunning start hasn’t gone unnoticed by the rest of the squad, while Hegazi has quickly endeared himself to his team-mates.

“He's a brick wall!” said Matt Phillips. “A big lad who puts his head on things. Dawse has been tremendous too as have Brunty and Allan (Nyom).”