Skipper admits forward could be big influence in run-in
STEPHANE Sessegnon can play a big part in Albion’s battle for survival over the remainder of the season, according to captain Chris Brunt.
The attacking midfielder, who signed for a club-record fee from Sunderland at the start of September, started his Baggies career in impressive fashion before struggling with a groin injury which eventually required surgery at the start of January.
Following over two months on the sidelines, Sessegnon, 29, returned as a second-half substitute in the club’s 3-0 home defeat by Manchester United earlier this month.
He was back in Pepe Mel’s starting XI for last weekend’s 2-1 victory at Swansea and duly found the net just after the interval to start a second-half revival which led to three massive points.
And as Albion prepare for nine crucial matches between now and the end of the season, starting at Hull on Saturday, injured skipper Brunt feels Sessegnon’s creativity can be an influential factor as they look to remain in the Barclays Premier League.
“Sess coming back has given us a boost,” Brunt said.
“He took his goal very well on Saturday.
“You can see in the games he played before his injury how good he is. His injury obviously affected him a lot and it’s taken him a while longer to come back than he’d have liked.
“Once he gets fully match fit again he’ll be a handful. Him and Vic [Anichebe], who seems to be fully match fit now, are a handful and hopefully we can start banging in a few goals to drag us away from the bottom of the table.”
Brunt added: “He gives us something different. He can create something out of nothing.
“If we can keep him fit between now and the end of the season then the more influence he hopefully he'll have in games. He’s a good player and he showed that at the weekend.
“He was in this situation with Sunderland last season so he knows what it takes to stay in this division.
“Hopefully he can keep bringing to the table what he’s got and help us get over the line.”