Jed Wallace dealt tough injury blow but West Brom hopeful of return as boss delivers request

Albion are hopeful the injured Jed Wallace could still play a role this season having missed out on a rollercoaster Good Friday home draw with Wrexham.

James Morrison’s relegation battlers threw away a 2-0 half-time lead against the promotion hunters after an excellent first period at The Hawthorns.

They had to do so without club captain Wallace, who had been so influential of late to help the Baggies go four games unbeaten.

The experienced winger went down in training with a calf injury and will miss several weeks, with an outside chance of returning for the final two games of the season.

Morrison said: “Last week in training he felt his calf.

“To be honest I could have cried when I saw him go down because he's been arguably our best player (lately).

“He is so important to the team. His level of performance has been right up there. Obviously he's our captain and leader so he was a big, big miss.”

Wallace joins fellow widemen Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston on the sidelines with Morrison short on options. He opted for teenage Villa loan Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba against Wrexham with fellow youngster Ollie Bostock the only alternative.

“Touch wood and fingers crossed he might be back for the last game or two of the season,” Morrison added.

Wallace was present in the home dressing room for the draw against the Red Dragons and the head coach has called on the club captain to rally around the squad and remain a positive influence for the remainder of the campaign.

“He’s got a big part to play off the pitch now,” Morrison said.

“Yes he was here today - I’ve asked him to be around in the dressing room and day-to-day.”

Albion quickly turn their attentions to Monday’s crunch six-pointer at lowly rivals Blackburn, where 7,500 travelling Baggies are heading to Ewood Park.

Michael O’Neill’s side were the only relegation-battler to pick up a win on Friday as they saw off Birmingham 1-0 at St Andrew’s.