After a recent injury, West Brom striker Josh Maja will not be available until later in November, but he is fitting in swiftly.
Josh Maja may be facing the possibility of no games until the November international break, but the West Bromwich Albion signing looks to have eased into his new surroundings after being welcomed into the Albion dressing room. Maja, 24, was injured at Bristol City more over a week ago and will be sidelined for two months.
It’s a setback for everyone involved, not least Maja, who had just finished his most promising cameo in an Albion jersey to date before sustaining the injury, which happened with literally the final kick of the game. He’s now poised to miss at least the next eight games, and Albion missed his predatory powers on Saturday, despite the fact that he’s yet to score.
Still, all a player can do in such a circumstance is recuperate, remain diligent in their rehabilitation, and focus on returning to first-team training and, eventually, the football pitch as soon as possible. Maja is doing so, having accepted that early setback, and his teammates, particularly striking partner Brandon Thomas-Asante, are keeping his spirits up.
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It’s a shame for the Albion forward, who has led the line for 90 minutes or more in the games since Maja’s injury – and who had to do so towards the end of last season after Daryl Dike suffered a major injury. Those brief minutes when Carlos Corberan had the duo working together at Ashton Gate provided a peek of what may be possible on the other side of this hiatus.
In the meantime, Thomas-Asante, who could have doubled his season tally in the last week but was unable to add to his three, is developing a relationship with the Baggies’ only permanent summer recruit away from the pitch in preparation for his return in the coming weeks.
“It’s been good and, personally, it can be harder physically to play up top on your own, but it’s something I’ve got used to and am capable of doing now,” said Thomas-Asante. “I got to play with Josh, which made it easier for me because he could drop in, take a defender away, and I could use that space to get in behind.” We’re all aware of Josh’s talent in
“Technically and physically, his finishing is something I really respect as well, and I’ve told him that I feel I’ve improved since he’s come in.” It’s been amazing watching him close up and how he works, seeing how he moves, how he’s comfortable dropping in since I’m more prone to come in behind than go short.
“It’s really nice because we get along really well, and it’s well documented how close Daryl and I are, so it’s nice to have that strikers’ union off the pitch as well – not to mention Karlan Grant.” He’s clearly on loan, but he’s been here for a long time and is someone I can’t recommend highly enough as a person and a player.
“Having strikers who are all competitive but also supportive of one another helps the club because it shows that we can take the bull by the horn and lead the team up the pitch, especially with our age on our side.” Josh and I have gone to supper a few times, as have a few other lads; it’s a nice place.
