with the last international break of the year firmly behind us and no injuries reported by those capped by their countries, Oscar Garcia can begin to plan his tactics with, what could be a matter of a couple of weeks, virtually half of the first team squad becoming available after injury.
Liam Bridcutt should be the first to get 90 minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 3-0 win over Blackburn. Andrea Orlandi is very close to returning and could even start at Wigan on Saturday. Agustien is now available but must surely show he is fitter than earlier in the season.
Leo Ulloa should be back in contention in the next few weeks after his foot stress fracture and these would all be massive lifts to management, players and fans alike.
Craig Mackail-Smith is still struggling with an ankle problem he suffered during his come back from the ruptured Achilles that has kept him out for a year.
Andrew Crofts has been suffering with an injury but hopefully the international break will have seen that settle down. Also almost certain to be fit again are Will Buckley and Keith Andrews who had minor knocks that kept them side lined for a short while.
Oscar Garcia deserves great credit for getting results with a team patched up with old pros and talented youngsters and I’m sure that Jake Forster-Caskey and Rohan Ince will not just be discarded to the development squad; they will be seen as genuine contenders for starting places and this will ensure every single man will have to play to his highest level to get into the starting line-up.
I would think that the Albion will look to extend Leroy Lita’s loan or even sign him full time if when he’s given a full game he comes up with the goods but as Ashley Barnes broke his duck against Blackburn he may have to wait for that opportunity.
Things are certainly starting to look up on the players front, all they need to do now is build on what has been a passable first third of the season taking account of the circumstances.
Well done Oscar and well done to those who have pulled together to get some unlikely results.
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