Carlos Corberan in tricky West Brom conundrum following injury blow - as three options assessed

West Bromwich Albion have suffered an injury blow to goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who is set to miss up to six weeks of action following a training knock. The man between the sticks had played every league game under Corberan but picked up a setback during a training session prior to the 1-0 win over Coventry City.

David Button immediately filled in for the former Plymouth Argyle, Lincoln City and Luton Town loanee and kept a clean sheet against the Sky Blues. However, Button was omitted from the starting XI after two glaring errors against Birmingham City.

Josh Griffiths came in for his senior debut in his place and was so close to keeping a clean sheet against Blackburn Rovers until Ben Brereton Diaz slotted a free-kick into the bottom corner. The youngster was understandably frustrated after making a crucial save earlier in the match to deny the Chilean international.

But with Palmer’s return on the horizon, we set out to discuss what each ‘keeper could bring to the table when Corberan looks to plan for the home straight of the second-tier season. Here goes...

David Button

The ex-Brighton and Hove Albion, Fulham and Brentford shot-stopper has had a disappointing start to life at The Hawthorns. He put on a decent display at home to Coventry but he has been statistically poor for the most part.

Button has the lowest save percentage out of any goalkeeper in the Championship, with just 51.4% of shots on target saved by the Baggies ‘keeper this term. He has also produced a few high-profile errors that have caused a frayed relationship between himself and the fans, certainly not helping his case.

It’s fair to say Button’s confidence looked low during the Birmingham defeat, as they lost 2-0 at St Andrew’s. Hannibal Mejbri scored the first when he spotted the goalkeeper on the wrong side of his goal, only to slot the ball into the opposite corner.

Krystian Bielik bagged the second as Button came flying out to claim a corner, only to be left stranded by the leaping midfielder who headed into the empty net. Button was left stunned and Albion were condemned to defeat.

The goalkeeper seems to have lost his place following those mistakes and is unlikely to come back into the side barring any mishaps from the other two options between the sticks. "It was important to talk with David because it’s true that his value as a person and as a goalkeeper is high," Corberan told Express and Star.

"It’s true that this season has not gone like he’d have wanted it to go. It’s been a difficult season for him because he knows he hasn’t performed at the level that he has to as a keeper,” Corberan said.

Josh Griffiths

After being recalled from his loan at Portsmouth in January, which was set to last until the end of the season, Griffiths didn’t have to wait long for his first team Albion chance. He made his senior debut against Blackburn on Wednesday evening, which also happened to be his 100th EFL appearance.

The goalkeeper had also enjoyed loan spells with Lincoln City and a League Two-winning campaign with Cheltenham Town beforehand and played under-21’s football until he was handed a senior opportunity. Still only 21 years of age, Griffiths showed a good level of maturity during his debut against Blackburn.

He made a pivotal save early on in the game as Brereton Diaz broke into the penalty area and poked the ball goalwards, however, Griffiths was on hand to tip the ball over the bar. He also demonstrated well-thought distribution as he looked to play out from the back along with the defenders in front of him.

Although a generally impressive performance, Griffiths will undoubtedly be disappointed with the goal he conceded. The free-kick was a well-calculated strike, but after getting a hand to it, the shot-stopper looked visibly frustrated after letting it in.

Corberan, however, was pleased with his performance and he has belief in the ‘keeper to improve. “He will be playing the next games and he will be using these games to keep growing,” he told Express and Star.

“The first one can be the most challenging one – or not because every game is a challenge. Now it is true, he has done the debut today, he’s someone in the club from a child, he showed he’s a good work from the academy that I have right now, because I didn’t do the work.

“And I didn’t see any pressure at all, that’s why I was saying to play with him, because he has the maturity of someone aged 27 or 28 years old, not 21. But after we need to work with him to make him, like everyone, like myself.”

Alex Palmer

After playing every second-tier game since moving into the first team, Palmer will be disappointed to see himself on the sidelines following that promising start. He had to wait until the age of 25 to make his first-team debut which came during the Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal last season.

But he was given an extended run in the first team by Corberan when he came into the club in October and his entry saw an upturn in form alongside the new boss. In contrast to Button, Palmer also boasts the highest save percentage in the league, preventing 77.6% of the shots he’s faced on goal so far during this campaign.

Although the setback provides a selection headache for the Spaniard, the ‘keeper may be hopeful to see himself back into the first team when he returns. But it’s fair to say Albion have very good options between the sticks, and with the age of Palmer and particularly Griffiths being young in goalkeeping terms - they can provide longevity too.