'We're done' - West Brom boss James Morrison sends out squad warning
Albion have a 23-man Championship squad registered though some - like Alex Williams away on loan - are unavailable and boss James Morrison is wary that a few injuries could leave the Baggies very light.
James Morrison has warned Albion will be ‘done’ if injuries mount this season as he looks to continue balancing his squad.
The Baggies boss is wary of ‘flogging the same horse’ and believes if absentees pile up an Albion squad lacking experience could struggle.
Albion have Mikey Johnston (ankle) and Nolan Galves (knee) as long-term injury victims, while Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Callum Styles missed this round of international fixtures with minor knocks.
Morrison admitted his squad would find itself on the back foot if more were sidelined.
"I've got to be careful,” he said. “I probably got questioned about making changes (against QPR) but I was thinking of the bigger picture, and before that we'd played with 10 men.
"I see other clubs in the league who've come to us have got seven or eight injuries. If we got seven or eight injuries than we're done, really.
"I'm being clever and I trust the lads. I trust this squad.
"It's not trying to flog the same horse. We're only at September, it's going to be a long season in this Championship."
Morrison troops not away on international duty return to the club’s training base this week as work continues following a week’s break.
The extended pause from club action continues until Saturday week, October 10, at home to Birmingham City.
The head coach has been unafraid of making changes so far this term with several alterations in games against Watford and QPR following midweek exertions.
But the Baggies lacked freshness last time out as they slumped to a limp defeat against Wolves to sign off.
Morrison said of using his squad: “I look at it as a positive headache. I'll use the squad in the right way.
"Going forward there will be times where I feel other players are suited for different games. I'm not afraid to do that, it's a squad game.
"I want a balanced squad in terms of people getting minutes. Because when we do get injuries we are light, really, in terms of how big the squad is.”
Albion return to action with another three-match week against Blues, Wrexham and Blackburn.