West Bromwich Albion manager Darren Moore has provided an update on the fitness of first team quartet Dwight Gayle, Kieran Gibbs, Ahmed Hegazi and Gareth Barry.
In a significant boost, the Baggies boss revealed that Gibbs is expected to play against Hull City on Saturday despite hurting his hip against Derby County last week.
And Moore clarified the status of the three other first teamers as well: “Gibbs is looking good, Ahmed is looking good,” he told the Birmingham Mail. “Gibbs is available, Ahmed is available.
“Dwight we’ll see, he’s 50/50. And Gareth Barry we’ll see. We’ll give them every opportunity to make the game. They’re both eager to play, but you have to let common sense prevail. We’ll make a last-minute decision to give them the best opportunity. Then we’ll see where it takes us.”
OPINION
This news is a real mixed bag for West Brom supporters. Obviously it is excellent news that both Gibbs and Hegazi are fit and ready to play against the Tigers on Saturday, but if Gayle and/or Barry were to miss out it would be a big blow for Moore’s team. Gayle, in particular, has been absolutely sensational since joining on loan from Newcastle United in the summer so to lose him would be extremely disappointing. West Brom have gone off the boil since their 4-1 win against Reading at the start of last month, failing to win in three games since and losing two of those to Derby and Wigan. It’s clear that they need to bounce back against Nigel Adkins’s side, and they’ll be hoping that Gayle is available to help them do so. Hegazi is one of Moore’s most trusted players at the back so he’ll be pleased he’s back, while Gibbs has Premier League quality. It’s just a waiting game now to see if Gayle and Barry make it on Saturday.