West Brom and Birmingham City put Deadline Day behind them as the two square off at The Hawthorn's in an EFL Championship clash this Saturday.
The winter window has been and gone and both clubs did some business throughout the month and on the final day. Mikey Johnston arrived from Celtic on a season-long loan and could be in line to make his Baggies debut. As for Birmingham, they signed Alex Pritchard from Sunderland and he's in line to play along with Paik Seung-ho who joined earlier in the week.
Both clubs were eliminated from the FA Cup in their last match, and both were defeated by fellow clubs in the Midlands. West Brom suffered a Black Country Derby defeat to Wolves which was marred by crowd trouble. Birmingham on the other hand lost to 3-0 to Leicester City at the King Power Arena.
It's all eyes on the Championship now after being eliminated from cup competitions with both sides wanting to begin February with a victory. West Brom are currently fifth despite losing to Norwich City last time out in the league but have Sunderland and Hull City on their tails with just three points separating them and the chasing pack. As for Birmingham, they're unbeaten in the league since appointing Tony Mowbray but are lowly in 20th and will be on the search for a run of form that will move them away from the relegation zone in which they are seven points clear of.
Both Carlos Corberan and Tony Mowbray will be without some of their players due to injuries with some being out longer than others. Two WBA men remain away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) whilst Birmingham have an injury problem that could force them to sign someone outside of the window. Here is the latest injury and team news ahead of the West Midlands clash on Saturday.
1. Jayson Molumby - out
He could miss the remainder of the season. Underwent surgery for a foot injury and that could bring to an end his 2023/24 campaign.
2. Jayson Molumby - out (continued)
Carlos Corberan said on January 26: "Molumby’s injury didn't progress in the way we expected it to progress. “He kept having pain and we have sent him to the specialist. We are going to improve the investigation in his injury, we want a second opinion to manage it better. “But, normally, he is not going to be ready to play with us in the next weeks. “I don't know exactly, on Monday I will know more about how many weeks he is going to be out. We can guarantee he is not going to be in the next game.”
3. George Hall - out
Didn't play any competitive minutes under Wayne Rooney after suffering a setback with a hamstring injury. He is closing in on a return and is scheduled to play for the under-21s next week.
4. George Hall - out (continued)
Tony Mowbray said on February 1: "The plan is to give him 45 minutes next Monday. We’ll see if he gets through that, he’s been out a while so there’s no rush for him to get back. "He’s had a few training sessions with us now.”