Early West Brom team news as Kyle Bartley spotted in training ahead of Southampton clash
West Brom look set to receive an injury boost as Kyle Bartley has been spotted in training in pictures shared by the Express and Star.
The newspaper shared on its website on Friday (10 November) a picture of the 32-year-old alongside his teammates in first-team training as the Baggies prepare for their crucial Championship clash with Southampton on Saturday (11 November).
Bartley was withdrawn early in the second half of Albion’s 3-1 win over Hull City last time out, having picked up a shoulder injury, with Carlos Corberan revealing that the defender would be set to undergo a scan to discover the extent of his injury.
It is unknown whether or not these new images will mean that the centre-back will be able to start at St Mary’s on Saturday, but Express & Star reporter Lewis Cox suggested that Corberan will provide an update on his fitness later on Friday.
Huge boost
West Brom haven’t been blessed with great luck with injuries so far this season, with the likes of Josh Maja, John Swift and Daryl Dike all stuck on the sidelines in the opening stages of the campaign as Corberan’s team are down to its bare bones.
The Spanish manager was never blessed with great depth in his side, given the lack of investment from the owners at The Hawthorns over the summer transfer window and had he lost Bartley for an extended period of time it could have been a huge blow.
Albion’s upturn in form to push into the race for the play-off positions has coincided with the return of Bartley to the starting XI and whether or not he is fit and ready for the clash with Southampton, it is excellent that he appears to still be close to match fitness.
Had his scan returned with poor results, it is unlikely that the 32-year-old would have already returned to training alongside his teammates, so West Brom supporters can feel confident that the defender will be involved in some capacity at St Mary’s.
Even if he isn’t fit and ready for Saturday, Bartley will have two weeks to get back up to speed over the international break which couldn’t have come at a much better time for the centre-back and the Baggies.
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