West Brom stance made on £1.3m Bristol City player ahead of Championship clash

West Bromm will not permit Taylor Gardner-Hickman to play against them for Bristol City in their Championship clash at Ashton Gate.

The 20-year-old is on loan with the Robins for the 2023/24 season, and there is a view to buy in the deal, with a fee already agreed should Nigel Pearson take up the option.

Birmingham Live claims that the fee is £1.3m, which would see West Brom pocket a reasonable amount of money for a player that has come through their academy.

Gardner-Hickman found himself out of favour at the start of the season for West Brom and was limited to substitute appearances.

Bristol City needed a right-back, and opted to sign the utility man who has slotted in well so far. West Brom meanwhile made a move for Spanish wing-back Pipa on deadline day, and that is likely to spell an end to Gardner-Hickman's time at the club, given that is an area he was capable of playing.

Despite everything being agreed for a permanent transfer, Gardner-Hickman will be unavailable this weekend for his loan club, as they clash with his current employers.

In rare circumstances, some teams have allowed one of their loan players to play against them, but in this instance that has not been allowed. Gardner-Hickman will have to watch from the stands, whilst getting an opportunity to see how his two teams fare.

Reacting to the news that they wouldn't be able to call upon TGH's services, Robins assistant manager Curtis Fleming said: “It’s disappointing for him but it’s something that we knew was going to happen, that’s life, that’s what it is.

"I think he would’ve liked to have played against… do we call it his parent club at the moment because it’s a loan at the moment?

“But we’re happy to have him here and he’s happy to be here, so it gives us weeks, months, years to work with him. So missing this game is fine.”