Albion’s international troop are all back in the camp and fit for consideration as the Baggies get ready for their return to The Hawthorns against Sheffield Wednesday.
With a full house expected – less than 300 tickets were left as Slaven Bilić met the media today – the Baggies are playing in front of their home fans for the first time in a month.
They do so knowing the Head Coach has his first major reshuffle of the season to ponder as Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore sit out one-match suspensions.
But Slav’s choices will not be hampered by any further disruption as Semi Ajayi, Ahmed Hegazi and Grady Diangana have all returned from action fit and well.
“They are back and ready to train so that is good news for us,” said Slaven, who confirmed he had a clear idea of his team plans.
“I have had a good time to consider it and I am not looking to make a big change to the team. Sometimes that can surprise the opposition but shock your own team too.
“I watched the Central League game on Tuesday when we had Gareth Barry, Chris Brunt, Kieran Gibbs, Rekeem Harper, Chris Willock and more playing.
“There was a little issue with Brunt’s calf which meant he played only one half but we will see how he trains now.
“Gareth played 60 minutes which was good. Normally you would say that after such a long absence, that is not enough to consider a player returning. He should maybe play two or three more games. But this is Gareth Barry and that means something different.”
Slaven is delighted that his team will be stepping into a packed Hawthorns again and confident that the fans will help his players through any difficult phases in the game.
“It is good to hear of the fans numbers but I must say the players deserve that,” he said.
“They really do. They have worked hard attract that level of support. And we know what it means because we can feel it in the stadium.
“Our supporters were very important against Barnsley when we were 2-0 down. They helped us that night recover in the game.
“We are playing a good team tomorrow – a very good team. They are men; there are no boys in there. They are positive, they are on the front foot and they never stop running.
“This will be another difficult game and we will need our supporters to be with us after 75 minutes still.”
