James Morrison’s hope for Mikey Johnston’s West Brom return - with Toby Collyer update
It has been more than eight months since Mikey Johnston fractured his ankle early on in a difficult defeat at Oxford.
Head coach James Morrison is optimistic Mikey Johnston’s long-awaited return will come as a huge boost for Albion.
The winger has played just half an hour of EFL Cup football since a fractured ankle in late February in Morrison’s first game as caretaker.
Johnston endured a tough setback to his recovery earlier this season after a cameo at Rotherham in early August and the Baggies have continued with his rehab.
The Republic of Ireland winger has taken part in some outdoor work with Albion’s sports science team and the next step will be to integrate the winger into parts of first-team training. Morrison and his staff will then look to build up Johnston’s levels in December.
"Mikey's on the grass,” Morrison said. “He's got two weeks with the sports scientist and then he'll be trying to integrate with the first team.
"So he's not far away. But we can't rush him.
"Toby (Collyer, out with a hamstring injury) is back on the grass. Maybe just after the international break. Around those games after the break. That's important because we need him.”
Johnston has, at times in recent years, been an influential attacking spark in a struggling Albion team.
Morrison added: "It will be a positive for the group. He's a player who has been in the Championship and performed in the Championship.
"And he's a little bit different to what we have.
"I think if we can get him up the top end of the pitch with the ball then he can be a real threat for us.
"I've told him that. That's his aim. To get back fit and help the team. He can see it as well, he watches every game.
"I'm really hoping he gets back and stays fit.”
The head coach added: “The lads need a little bit of help with how gruelling the Championship is.
"You see - (Isaac) Pricey for instance - I know he plays every game, but he had a little bit of a rest and he came back.
"It's hard to do, to go all of those games. Everyone needs to contribute so having Mikey back will be a big help."
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