West Brom predicted line-up vs Oxford United: three changes made as injury crisis deepens

Ryan Mason’s early months as head coach at West Bromwich Albion have taken a turn for the worse in recent months, as the Baggies have begun a dangerous slide down the Championship table and further from the play-off picture as we enter November.

The West Midlands side were defeated 1-0 by Charlton Athletic on Tuesday night to sink to 15th place in the league, after just one win in six games. The fact the Baggies have gone three matches without scoring only piles the pressure further on Mason, who has an array of the division’s most high-profile attacking talent to choose from.

Expected to at least reach the play-offs each year, things must turn around quickly at West Brom or else Mason may not find himself in a job for too much longer. The visit of struggling 21st-place Oxford United is, therefore, a welcome sight - but that only makes a win all the more important.

Ryan Mason faced with midfield injury crisis

Mason will have his fair share of selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday’s fixture at the Hawthorns, as the Baggies look to secure a crucial victory which could yet see them rise back into the top 10 if other results go their way.

The side have been without influential midfielder Jayson Molumby for some weeks now, as the Republic of Ireland midfielder has been out of action for the last four matches with injury. Despite surprising news that the 26-year-old has been called up to the Ireland squad for the international break, there has been no indication as of yet that he will be fit to start against Oxford.

Even if Molumby is fit enough to play a role off the bench, Mason is likely to continue with Alex Mowatt and Ousmane Diakite in the centre of the park, amidst an injury to Manchester United loanee Toby Collyer.

Tough striker decision following Baggies barren spell

West Brom’s lack of goals this season has been well-documented, with the Baggies the fourth-lowest scorers in the entire division. This is simply not acceptable for a club of the Black Country outfit’s stature, especially considering the attacking talent which Mason has to call on.

He has often opted to start Norwegian striker Aune Heggebo so far this season, but the experiment has not quite worked thus far with the £4.75 million signing scoring just once in the Championship. Mason may decide to recall Josh Maja on Saturday after Heggebo struggled in midweek.

Maja has been used sparingly so far this season, possibly due to concerns arising from a calf injury which kept the 26-year-old out for the second half of last season. But in three starts and nine substitute appearances so far under Mason, Maja has also scored just once. Having scored 12 times in 26 appearances in the Championship last season, Maja remains a quality striker at this level if given the service. Mason may also recall Mikey Johnston and Alfie Gilchrist to the XI after both were substitutes in midweek.

Predicted starting XI: Griffiths; Gilchrist, Bielik, Phillips, Styles; Mowatt, Diakite; Iling-Junior, Price, Johnston; Maja.