West Brom expecting key trio to be fit for Leeds clash
Albion hope to welcome three key players back for this weekend’s clash with league-leaders Leeds United.
Dwight Gayle, Gareth Barry and Kieran Gibbs are all expected to be in contention for the Saturday tea-time match at The Hawthorns.
Chris Brunt, however, is set to miss the game after picking up a hamstring strain in the 1-0 defeat to Hull on Saturday.
Albion’s club captain will be given the international break following the Leeds match to recover from his injury.
The return of Gayle, Barry and Gibbs will be a timely boost for Baggies boss Darren Moore, who is currently suffering from the worst run of his managerial career.
Albion have picked up just one point from a possible 12 on a run that has seen them slip to seventh in the Championship.
Barry has missed all four of those games with a calf strain after working his way into the starting line-up before that.
Gayle and Gibbs have missed the last two matches after being forced off at half-time during the 4-1 defeat to Derby County.
The left-back jarred his hip against the Rams and was expected to be fit for Saturday’s game against Hull, but was pulled out late on as a precaution.
Gayle’s calf injury has forced him out of the last two matches, but it’s hoped the star striker on loan from Newcastle will be available against Leeds.
Defender Kyle Bartley will also return from a one-match suspension, although the summer signing could struggle to regain his place in the team ahead of Tosin Adarabioyo following the youngster’s impressive recent form.
Following their match with Marcelo Bielsa’s league leaders, Albion travel to Ipswich Town after the international break.
The Tractor Boys have reduced the price of tickets for that televised match on Friday, November 23, to £10 for adults, £5 for U23s and £3 for U12s. Baggies fans who have already bought tickets will be given refunds.
Meanwhile, former Albion technical director Nick Hammond is being considered by Burnley for the same role.
The Clarets also reportedly remain interested in Baggies striker Jay Rodriguez, having seen several bids fail in the summer, although Albion currently have no intentions of selling him in January.
