West Brom Boss Delivers Positive Injury News Ahead of Wrexham Clash
West Bromwich Albion manager James Morrison has delivered encouraging injury updates on four key squad members as the Championship season resumes with a crucial Easter Bank Holiday double-header. The Baggies face Wrexham on Good Friday followed by a match against Blackburn, with team selection decisions looming large.
Goalkeeping Dilemma Resolved
Morrison confirmed he has made a final decision on his starting goalkeeper for the upcoming fixtures, though he remained tight-lipped about the specific choice. The selection headache stems from Max O’Leary’s return to full training during the international break after recovering from a minor calf injury.
O’Leary, who joined the club in January, had been a consistent performer before his setback, missing the recent victory at Bristol City. That match saw academy graduate Josh Griffiths step in and keep a clean sheet, intensifying competition for the starting spot.
In his Thursday press conference, Morrison stated: “Max is back in training and available. I’ve made my decision. It’s good for both of them to compete. They are both important. You saw when Josh came in, he was ready. Max did well in those games leading up to them. I want people fighting for the spot, putting pressure on people who are starting.”
Defensive and Attacking Boost
Beyond the goalkeeping situation, Albion received further positive news with the return to training of centre-back Chris Mepham and attacking midfielder Tammer Bany. Mepham has been absent since the goalless draw against Stoke nearly two months ago due to a hamstring injury, while Bany’s season has been severely disrupted.
Bany, who has featured more for the Jordan national team—set to compete in the World Cup this summer—than for West Brom this season, suffered a ruptured thigh at the end of December. Initially feared to be out for the remainder of the campaign, his timely return to training marks a significant recovery milestone.
Grant’s Progress Monitored
Attacker Karlan Grant, sidelined since January 23 with a hamstring injury, is not yet in full training but is expected to rejoin his colleagues towards the end of next week. His absence has been a substantial blow to the club’s attacking options, though his impending return offers hope for the final stretch of the season.
Morrison confirmed that none of Mepham, Bany, or Grant will feature in the Easter weekend matches against Wrexham or Blackburn. However, their rehabilitation progress provides a much-needed boost to squad depth as West Brom aims to navigate a busy fixture schedule and push for higher league positions.
The return of these four players injects fresh competition and options into the squad, with Morrison emphasizing the importance of internal pressure to drive performance. As action resumes, all eyes will be on how these injury comebacks influence team dynamics and results in the critical matches ahead.
