Matty Phillips is back in training with the Baggies, and might be influential in the Championship run-in. Matty Phillips is set to return to West Bromwich Albion in the coming weeks, and his return to the team will be a significant boost for Carlos Corberan’s side.
The 33-year-old suffered a hamstring injury against Leicester City in December and has since worked relentlessly to regain full fitness.
Baggies fans will be ecstatic to learn that the former Queens Park Rangers player will be back in training and maybe available for selection after the international break.
Matty Phillips’ 23/24 season injury update
Phillips was a fixture in Corberan’s first-team plans at the start of the current season, having made 19 appearances before tragedy struck against Leicester three weeks before Christmas.
The forward had already scored three goals and provided three assists for his colleagues, with Albion sitting in fifth place in the league when his injury occurred.
While he has been on the sidelines, the Hawthorns have remained in the same position in the Championship, with an eight-point lead over the playoff contenders.
However, following a positive report earlier this month, fans may anticipate Phillips to return and help his side secure a playoff spot by the conclusion of the season, as well as prepare them for the end-of-season clash in search of a Premier League spot.
Corberan stated earlier this month, “We don’t sure if Phillips will participate in any training the week before the Bristol City game. The objective is to see whether he can complete some of the drills, and then
Come back to us during the international break.
That means he might return to the first team for Good Friday’s trip to Millwall or Watford’s three-day visit to the Hawthorns.
At a time when squads are being pushed to their limits, the return of such an important piece in West Brom’s attacking production will be welcomed by both fans and teammates, with Phillips’ expertise crucial as the season comes to a close.
The attacker has already been promoted from the Championship, once with Queens Park Rangers in 13/14 as the Hoops won the playoffs, and again with Albion following a second-place finish in 19/20.
West Brom’s 23/24 Championship Season
Phillips’ absence from December onwards may have been a blessing in disguise for WBA, since they were obliged to search the transfer market for a replacement, with Mikey Johnston proving to be a revelation since coming on loan from Celtic.
Since coming south of the Scottish border, the Irish international [pictured] has scored six goals in ten matches.
January saw a handful of eye-catching strikes that influenced the race for the top six spots.
The 24-year-old’s inclusion in the team could be an ideal supplement for Phillips’ return; with two explosive wide men capable of unleashing a venomous strike from range, the Baggies will pose a serious threat going forward, with Tom Fellows and Jed Wallace available to add further attacking threat.
With games against Stoke City, Rotherham United, and Sunderland after the Easter double-header, Phillips might acquire crucial game time to get himself back on track before the season’s last few games.
Trips to Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday follow, before hosting Preston North End on the last day, when Albion will expect to have their playoff spot secured and can prepare for the first leg of the semi-final.
Phillips’ previous expertise could make all the difference in the remaining stages of the Championship season, and his return to the squad will greatly benefit his colleagues.
Being just a couple of games away from his 250th match for the Baggies, Phillips will also want to come back to full speed to commemorate his own personal milestone in the blue and white stripes. With a contract that expires this summer, he will do He does everything he can to extend his current contract at the Hawthorns.
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