Matt Phillips is a doubt for West Brom’s FA Cup fourth round clash against Brighton on Saturday due to an ankle injury, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claims that James Morrison could also miss the trip to the AMEX due to an issue with his calf.
Phillips, 27, has been a key player for the Baggies this season, appearing 23 times in all competitions and scoring five goals in the process.
OPINION
Darren Moore’s priority is getting West Brom back into the Premier League this season so it can be expected that the Albion boss will name a rotated side for the trip to the south coast this weekend. He made plenty of changes for the win against Wigan in the third round of the FA Cup, so the chances of him playing his regular first team are low. Phillips has missed the last three games through injury now and Moore will undoubtedly want him back to full fitness as soon as possible with some tough fixtures on the horizon in the Championship. Even if there is any doubt about Phillips’ fitness going into the match versus Brighton, Moore must not play him. In fact, Moore must not play Phillips if he is ready. It’s not worth risking one of the best players at the club in a game that the Baggies do not need to go full throttle in. Of course it will be nice for Albion to progress in the FA Cup, but being knocked out of the competition in the fourth round wouldn’t be awful in terms of the the club’s promotion bid.