West Brom trio return from injury in time for busy Christmas schedule
Darren Moore has been given an early Christmas present heading into the busy festive schedule with news that all three of his injured players are now available for selection.
Defender Kyle Bartley, midfielder James Morrison, and striker Hal Robson-Kanu are all back in full contact training.
Bartley has missed the last seven games with a knee injury, Morrison has sat out the last two with muscle fatigue, and Robson-Kanu has also missed two matches after jarring his knee.
But all three are now available heading into a run of four games in 11 days for Moore's men.
"All fine, all fit, all back in full-contact training," said Moore. "It’s great for them, all three are quality players and all three are important players for us here at West Brom.
"All three are fit, available and all three are in the squad."
Moore is expected to name an unchanged line-up against Rotherham United following a strong performance away at Sheffield United.
But the Baggies boss is delighted to have a clean bill of health going into the festive period, and he wants his squad to be ready if called upon.
He's used this week to give some of his fringe players extra-intense sessions in order to prepare them for what's ahead.
"In total we’ve got 20-odd pros at the club," he said. "You’ve got to keep them all fit, ready.
"It’s important the seven or eight that are outside the starting XI get topped up with training.
"We’ve been doing that, because if they’re asked to step in over this period you want them to step in and physically cope with the demands of the league.
"It’s another aspect we’ve got to look at, in keeping them all fit and sharp."
The Baggies travel to Rotherham United tomorrow before hosting Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day, but Moore confirmed his players would be training on Christmas Day.
"We’re training on Christmas Day, that won’t change," he said. "I was in Christmas Day as a player, the boys will be in as normal. Hopefully we’ll get some of that turkey off them!"
Before any turkey though is a trip to the New York Stadium to face draw specialists Rotherham.
"They’ve lost once at home all season and that was in August," said Moore. "It’s a difficult place to go, they’re a strong team, they’re a workmanlike team.
"They’ve got great energy, they get after you at home, the supporters get behind them so it’s a difficult arena to go to.
"They’ve not lost many at home and it’s another tough hurdle to come across. West Brom are going to have to be at our very best.
"They’re hard to beat, we have to go there and be ready to fight, be strong and committed, but at the same time stamp our style of play on the game because it’s another difficult game but a different one that the Championship presents.
"The manager Paul (Warne) is an infectious man. He’s bright, enthusiastic, I look forward to seeing him.
"His team epitomises him, in how they work. That’s why they’ve drawn eight of the last ten, they’re difficult opponents.
"They’ve got an attitude that they keep going right to the end."
