West Brom's Chris Mepham fired up for one of football's biggest tests
Albion defender Chris Mepham faces one of the ultimate tests in world football in international action on Thursday.
Albion’s Chris Mepham is fired up for the test of keeping “incredible” Norway and Manchester City star Erling Haaland out in Thursday’s Nations League showdown.
Mepham’s Wales lock horns with Norway at Cardiff City Stadium this week in the latest top tier test for Craig Bellamy’s side, who have found it tough to adjust so far.
Wales won promotion to ‘League A’ - the highest ranking in the European competition - last winter and lost 1-0 to Portugal last week before Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Denmark in Copenhagen.
Wales still await a first point and goal and face the prospect of keeping out Haaland next up, with the Norway talisman’s stunning record of 65 goals in 57 caps.
Albion’s Mepham said of Haaland: “I’ve played against him a couple of times. It’s tough because he’s got every single attribute you want in a centre-forward.
“He’s quick, strong and technically very good and ultimately an incredible goal scorer.
“You’ve got to pick and choose your battles at times when you come up against him.
“We’ll do our meetings and I’m sure we’ll be well equipped to deal with him.”
The centre-back was an unused substitute against Portugal last week but earned his 57th cap against Denmark. He is pushing for another outing as visitors Norway also try to respond from defeat. Haaland scored his 31st goal in 21 games for Norway in the 2-1 reverse to Portugal.
Mepham is also trying to force his way into Albion boss James Morrison’s thinking at club level.
The 28-year-old has played second fiddle to George Campbell and Nat Phillips for the majority so far this term. Mepham’s two league starts came in the 1-0 win over Watford, in which he impressed, and the 1-1 draw against QPR, where he scored an unfortunate own goal.
Mepham lost his place for the Black Country derby at Wolves prior to the break.
The defender also featured from the off in the EFL Cup defeat to Newcastle last month following a stop-start first season of struggle at The Hawthorns after his move from Bournemouth.
“Recovery is super important at this point,” Mepham added.
“I’ve always said these are the players and games that you want to come up against.
“It’s all well and good playing lesser players and lesser quality opposition, but that’s not testing you as a footballer.
“If you can come away from that and give a good account of yourself and come out on top, then they are the moments you seek for in football.”