Carlos Corberan aims to maintain West Brom's clean bill of health
Carlos Corberan is welcoming the prospect of a clean bill of health upon Albion’s return – and wants a focus on injury-prevention.
The head coach saw £7million striker Daryl Dike play a few minutes against Stoke before the break on his return from a long-term setback, while Karlan Grant will also be available after a slight knock, to compete with Brandon Thomas-Asante.
“The first time we have everybody available the stronger we are going to be,” Spaniard Corberan said of his forward options.
“Grant was very close to coming back to the game against Stoke because he has been working very hard in recovery to be with the team.
“Dike didn’t play after the first game and this long-term injury is something complicated for players, so when they come back with the group and in games it is positive for them.
“Now we need to control our situation very well to avoid these type of injuries.”
Albion will be boosted in other departments, too, with Semi Ajayi back in some form of training after an ankle injury sidelined him for three months. Fellow defender Kean Bryan is training after over a year out with an ACL injury.
Thomas-Asante’s impact saw Corberan praise the club’s recruitment for plucking the 23-year-old from fourth tier Salford, where he had caught Steve Bruce’s eye as the former boss watched son-in-law Matt Smith play.
He said: “He is one player with skills, one player that the club brings before I arrive here and it was not a very typical situation to move a League Two player to the Championship.
“It shows we have a very good recruitment department in the club, because I am using these type of resources the club provide.
“Asante, for me, can score these goals and has these skills.”
