Steve Bruce provides worrying update on Semi Ajayi after defender was forced off against Wigan

Steve Bruce has provided a worrying update on Semi Ajayi after the defender was forced off in West Bromwich Albion’s 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday evening.

The defender, who has started in all seven of the Baggies’ Championship games this season, was at fault for his side conceding inside six minutes, this allowed Josh Magennis to grab the opener for the Latics.

Then, Ajayi, after progressing with the ball from the back and nobody around him, went to the ground holding his leg in the 20th minute.

Despite treatment from West Brom’s medical team, it was determined the Nigerian international couldn’t continue with Darnell Furlong replacing him just moments later.

Speaking to the media following the game, Bruce admitted he wasn’t expecting ‘good news’ regarding the centre-back’s injury.

"Not great. We’ll not know until the scan but it doesn’t look great, I have to say," Bruce said. "He’s done his knee and his ankle, they are not looking good, great.

"I’m not anticipating good news on that, that’s for sure."

Ajayi’s injury leaves Bruce with just two fit senior centre-backs at the club, those being Kyle Bartley and Kean Bryan.

Bartley started his first league game of the campaign against Wigan, while Bryan has been absent since sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the Baggies’ 1-0 over Hull City last year.

The news leaves Bruce minimal time in the summer transfer window to find a suitable replacement for Ajayi with the market slamming shut at 11pm on Thursday.

Ajayi joins forward Daryl Dike on the sidelines for a substantial amount of time and Bruce will be relying on the last few days of the transfer window to bolster his squad.

He added: "You can’t cover for every eventuality but - what can you do? We’ve lost two big players, which is cruel."

West Brom welcome Burnley to the Hawthorns on Friday in their next game, with the Baggies in search of their second league win this season.