West Bromwich Albion attacker Jay Rodriguez is a doubt for the team’s FA Cup tie against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, according to journalist Matt Wilson.
The Express & Star reporter revealed the news on his personal Twitter account, claiming that he’d be surprised if the former Southampton man starts even if he is fit.
However, Wilson concedes that the 29-year-old could be on the bench against the Seagulls due to the numerous injuries that manager Darren Moore is dealing with.
Matt Phillips, Chris Brunt, James Morrison, Ahmed Hegazi and Gareth Barry could all miss Saturday’s game due to setbacks, according to the Express & Star.
Rodriguez is a doubt after picking up a knock on Monday, and I'd be surprised if he started anyway. But considering Albion's injury problems, he could very well be on the bench…
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) January 25, 2019
OPINION
This is frustrating for West Brom given the number of injuries they are already dealing with. However, as Wilson says, it’s unlikely that the player will start anyway. This is a good opportunity for Moore to rotate his team and give his most important players a vital rest. Rodriguez is undoubtedly one of the players who shouldn’t be risked in the starting eleven, both because of his knock and because of how much football he has played this season. Moore’s focus will obviously be on winning promotion back to the Premier League this campaign, not on an FA Cup run. With that said Rodriguez’s injury may prove to be a non factor, because he likely wasn’t going to start anyway. However, it says it all about how depleted the Baggies are that a vitally important player with a knock may be forced to feature in a largely inconsequential cup tie.