Carlos Corberan is unsure if Brandon Thomas-Asante will be available for the West Brom trip to Leeds United after accepting he took a gamble in fielding the striker against Stoke City.
Thomas-Asante was on target for West Brom in their 2-1 loss against Championship rivals Stoke in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday [8
August] after being introduced as a second-half substitute, but it came at a cost as he later rolled his ankle.
The 24-year-old was left out of the Baggies’ squad for Saturday’s [August 12] 3-2 win over Swansea City as a result of the injury, which Albion will
continue to monitor.
Asked about his decision to play Thomas-Asante in midweek, Corberan is quoted by The Express & Star as saying: “It’s complicated. I respect my club
and my fans a lot.
“That is why I made a decision, but at the same time, I have to be smart in managing the minutes of the player.
“The fact that Asante didn’t have a replacement, maybe I should’ve managed the game against Stoke in a different way and don’t give the option for
Asante to play a single minute.
“I was taking a risk because Asante didn’t have a replacement right now, but football is about winning games and you have to make decisions even
knowing the injuries we have.
“Now we need to see how the player reacts.”
Firepower
Thomas-Asante scored seven Championship goals for Albion in his first campaign at The Hawthorns [WhoScored] and was selected by Corberan to
lead the line against Blackburn Rovers on the opening weekend of this season.
The Spaniard had to alter his plans as a result of the former Salford City man’s injury setback, however, and did not field a recognised striker against
Swansea, with Matt Phillips, John Swift and Jed Wallace used up top.
Not that Thomas-Asante’s absence was felt all that much against the Swans, as defender Semi Ajayi and Swift were both on target either side of Carl
Rushworth’s own goal as three-goal Albion claimed a maiden win of the campaign.
Phillips also opened his account for the season against Blackburn, so West Brom appear to be in good hands for the moment when it comes to players
capable of finding the net.
However, Corberan would clearly rather have the option of fielding Thomas-Asante up top at Elland Road on Friday [18 August] as he gives the
Baggies something a little different in that department.
Indeed, as Corberan himself pointed out after the Swansea win, Thomas-Asante’s absence “affected the way we wanted to approach the game”.
The Albion head coach will now simply be hoping his go-to striker can shake off the issue in time for the trip to West Yorkshire.
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