West Brom caretaker manager Jimmy Shan has issued a worrying diagnosis on defender Craig Dawson who had to be replaced at half time in their play-off game with Aston Villa.
The Baggies took the lead at Villa Park through Dwight Gayle but eventually ended up losing 2-1 with the goalscorer Gayle also being sent off.
Dawson was replaced by Tyrone Mears at the break after he received treatment just before the break and Shan said in his post match press conference as quoted by Journalist Matt Wilson: “He was sick on the pitch, and he had a dizzy spell. He was given a tablet by the medical staff. Craig’s experienced this before, it normally settles down.
“He was sick again in the changing room at half-time, so it was a forced substitution”.
Shan on Dawson: "He was sick on the pitch, and he had a dizzy spell. He was given a tablet by the medical staff. Craig's experienced this before, it normally settles down. But he was sick again in the changing room at half-time, so it was a forced substitution." #wba
— Matt Wilson (@mattianwilson) May 11, 2019
With Dwight Gayle and Hal Robson Kanu already suspended for the second leg, the potential doubt surrounding Craig Dawson could be vital for West Brom as he is an integral part of a new adopted back three for Jimmy Shan.
OPINION
It was clearly the correct decision to remove Craig Dawson at half time, even in such a crucial game for the Baggies. The possibility of removing him from this game so he is fit for the crucial second leg on Tuesday would have been at the back of Jimmy Shan’s mind. The truth is, the game became much easier for Aston Villa once Dawson left the pitch. Between him, Kyle Bartley and Ahmed Hegazi, the Baggies controlled the game with relative ease, not allowing their free scoring hosts any chances when going forward. As soon as the defence changed, the game became much more open and players such as Tammy Abraham and Jack Grealish took advantage of the spaces in behind and turned the game on its head in the space of three second half minutes. If Aston Villa get the first goal in the reverse leg then West Brom are in trouble, it is key that Dawson is fit to partner Hegazi and Bartley so they can really build on a solid first half if the first leg.