Erik Pieters of West Brom hobbled out in the second half of Albion’s goalless draw with Millwall on Saturday.
Carlos Corberan is hoping that defender Erik Pieters’ injury that forced him off in West Brom’s goalless draw with Millwall on Saturday isn’t a severe one as he prepares for a three-match stretch starting next weekend.
Albion will go to Preston North End before hosting Sheffield Wednesday and visiting Birmingham City in the space of a week before the next international break, which will take place in the middle of next month. Albion are already without Josh Maja and Daryl Dike, so Brandon Thomas-Asante’s game time will have to be carefully controlled.
What Albion don’t really need is any new concerns about key first-team players, so when the seasoned Pieters pulled up in the second half, having played in the previous three matches in eight days, there were immediate fears that the Dutchman had picked up a new injury.
Corberan has disclosed that Pieters felt tension in his muscle and was brought off as a result, but he is hopeful that it isn’t anything more serious.
“No, he’s tight, the muscle is very tight,” he said after the match. “He couldn’t play any longer.” It doesn’t appear to be an injury, but I’m not sure – I didn’t anticipate Maja to be injured and my striker to be out for eight weeks. Hopefully, no players are lost, since we have a week to prepare for the next game, but then it’s Saturday, Tuesday, and Friday. It’s the busiest week we’ve ever had.”
Corberan has been delighted with the depth of his squad – with the exception of the regrettable scenario involving two-thirds of his centre forward department – but did the minutes he gave to various persons who have been patiently waiting for their chance.
