Erik Pieters and Semi Ajayi, two essential West Brom defenders, have trained with the team in preparation for the team’s trip to Preston on Saturday, September 30. Carlos Corberan has provided updates on their health.
After being replaced in the 77th minute of West Brom’s 0-0 draw with Millwall, Pieters had been a questionable injury, but the manager allayed concerns at the time by saying it was simply a tight muscle, and he has since returned to training.
Ajayi, meanwhile, has spent the previous two days working separately with the physios after suffering an ankle injury against Millwall and is anticipated to resume full training on Friday, September 29.
On September 29, Corberan gave an update on the players’ fitness to the West Brom website, saying: “We will practice on Friday with every player, barring the guys who have been out for a long time.
“Semi Ajayi is the only player who hasn’t had a full and typical week. This week, Erik Pieters has only missed one training session.
“Semi Ajayi will work out on Friday as usual. He had been working out individually with the physios the two days prior due to an ankle injury he sustained in the closing seconds of our game against Millwall.
positive news from the practice field
It is really encouraging news for everyone connected to West Brom that both defensive players are anticipated to join the team for the match on Saturday at Deepdale. If they wish to stop Preston’s winning streak, they will need to have a good team ready.
The last time this pair was forced to miss a game, Huddersfield defeated them at The Hawthorns with a last-second winner. Because of the losses, Corberan had made a modest adjustment to his system, which affected how poorly they performed.
Both Pieters and Ajayi played 90 minutes on either side of a strong back three in the 4-2 victory over Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns. This allowed Darnell Furlong and Matt Phillips to move up the field and create more space as wingbacks.
Carlos Corberan’s decision to switch to a back four and drop the two wing-backs deeper as full-backs to limit their impact in the attacking phase of play appeared to be motivated by the absence of both players against Huddersfield. Conor Townsend took Phillips’ place in that position.
After the 0-0 draw with Millwall the last time out, both players returning to the lineup should offer stability in both performances and the system.
