West Brom v Southampton: Championship play-off injury news as 5 ruled out

West Brom face Southampton at the Hawthorns in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Baggies earned a fifth-placed finish after beating Preston North End 3-0 on the final day of the season and that saw them overtake Norwich City, who lost to Birmingham City. The Canaries will play Leeds United who missed out on automatic promotion, and now West Brom will be hoping to reach a Wembley Stadium play-off final for the first time since 2007.

West Brom have always gone up automatically having finished second in 2004, 2010 and 2010 as well as winning the league title in 2008. The last time they graced the Premier League was in 2021 and that season was played without supporters, so it's six years since fans properly witnessed top-flight football at the Hawthorns.

The Saints go in to the match on the back of a 2-1 win on the final day against Leeds. It didn't affect their position but they needed that win after suffering three straight defeats to Stoke City, Leicester City and Cardiff City. Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone were on target for Russell Martin's men.

Ahead of what is a huge game, here’s the latest injury and team news before both bosses conduct their pre-match press conferences.

West Brom team news

Daryl Dike and Jayson Molumby are West Brom's only real injury worries. Dike ruptured his Achilles for the second time of his career and is out, whilst Molumby had to undergo surgery for a foot injury.

Brandon Thomas-Asante was a doubt last weekend due to a hamstring issue but he was fit enough to play last week. The 25-year-old who has 11 goals in 39 games this term played 85 minutes against Preston.

Out: Daryl Dike and Jayson Molumby.

Southampton team news

Che Adams after picking up an assist against Leeds was forced off with an injury. The 27-year-old was immediately substituted after making the complaint but seems alright to play this weekend.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Martin said: “He felt a bit of tightness. There is no point carrying on and risking him after that. I think he will be alright. Thankfully we also had Ross Stewart to bring on today, which was really amazing for us."

As Martin touched upon, he was able to call on Ross Stewart, who has endured an injury-hit campaign. He joined Southampton for a reported £10m, but has spent most of the season on the sidelines because of a hamstring injury. Stewart got 10 goals for the Black Cats in 13 games last season, following up from the 24 he notched for them in League One. He won’t be afforded a start but is an alternative option to Martin if the game isn’t going in his favour.

Goalkeeper Gavin Buzunu is unable after suffering a serious injury in April. He ruptured his Achilles tendon and won't be available for at least nine months, ruling him out until 2025.

Stuart Armstrong is another player that has been ruled out. He had to be stretchered off against Cardiff last month and is unlikely to take part. Armstrong is hoping to be a part of the Scotland squad for EURO 2024.

Left-back Juan Larios isn't available either. The 20-year-old last played a game for the first team in November 2022. He has been pictured back in first-team training but isn’t in contention.

Out: Gavin Bazunu, Stuart Armstrong and Juan Larios.