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.
9. Jacob Sorensen - out (continued)
“Unfortunately Lunghi’s problem is a bigger issue. I really feel for the lad because he's such a great character, such a very good human being,” said Wagner on November 4. “He got injection therapy two weeks ago which wasn't successful. So it looks like he needs another surgery and he will be out for a few further few weeks." | Getty Images
10. Grant Hanley (Norwich) - OUT
Norwich's captain has been sidelined since April after suffering a serious Achilles injury. Hanley has returned to training and played for the under-21's, but has not yet appeared for the first-team. | Stephen Pond Photo: Stephen Pond
11. Ben Gibson - available
Played nine minutes against Huddersfield Town after spending the last few months out with a foot injury. | Cameron Howard Photo: Cameron Howard
12. Dimitris Giannoulis - doubt
Came off at half-time against Huddersfield. A bone injury after being elbowed by an opponent. | Getty Images Photo: Getty Images