West Brom are back amongst their home supporters as they host Norwich City at The Hawthorn's in the EFL Championship on Boxing Day. The Baggies have a festive triple-header, and for the first two games they're at home, where they face the Canaries and then Leeds United on Friday, December 29, before rounding it off against Swansea City on Monday, January 1.
Carlos Corberan's side go into their game against Norwich on the back of a narrow defeat to Middlesbrough. Morgan Rogers scored the only goal of the game as WBA fell to a narrow loss at the Riverside Stadium. Norwich had a positive result meanwhile as Sam McCallum and Borja Sainz scored in the second-half to defeat Huddersfield Town - managed by former WBA boss Darren Moore.
West Brom are now half-way through their campaign, and are currently in fifth with 36 points taken from a possible 69. Norwich aren't too far behind, and are below them in the table by three places, and two points, which highlights the competitive nature of the division. A win for West Brom would only help solidify their place in the top six as fourth-placed Southampton boast a nine-point lead over them. The chasing pack are awaiting for a slip up from West Brom and Hull City, and five teams outside of the play-offs are just three points behind them.
John Swift was a doubt before kick-off, however he was fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes, and will be pushing for a place in the starting XI. The festive period could see the return of Daryl Dike, who has not kicked a ball in anger in over eight months, since being stretchered off with an Achilles injury. Here's the latest injury and team news of both the Baggies and the Canaries ahead of kick-off.
1. John Swift - available
He was a doubt for Boro, but did enough in the match fitness test to earn a place amongst the substitute's bench. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
2. Daryl Dike - doubt
He's missed the last nine months because of an Achilles injury. The festive period is likely to be too soon for Dike, but he could return in the New Year. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
3. Daryl Dike - doubt (continued)
Carlos Corberan said on December 22: "We will see when we can add him to the squad. The faster the better. There are possibilities,” said Corberan. “If you tell me we can’t have him against Middlesbrough and Norwich neither, then I will try my best to have him against Leeds, or if not then Swansea. “That is my dream but maybe not the real situation. Day-by-day, so let’s see. If not, it will be January. When? The faster the better.” | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images
4. Josh Maja (West Brom) - out
Just weeks after returning from an ankle ligaments injury, Maja suffered a similar blow to the same ankle in the defeat at Sunderland. Could be out for a long while once again. | Express & Star Photo: Express & Star