Furlong Returns to Contention for West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion, a team recently characterized by draws, has received slightly more positive team updates in advance of their Saturday match against Preston North End, as Darnell Furlong has completed his suspension. Carlos Corberan’s team, the Baggies, has fallen eight points behind the league leader and out of the Championship play-off positions, a consequence of drawing eight of their last nine matches. The club has secured only one victory in their last 11 fixtures, a period that commenced with a 3-2 loss to Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on 28 September, at which point they occupied the top spot in the league. Nevertheless, they travel to Deepdale having remained undefeated in their last five away matches, a sequence that includes Tuesday’s draw against Sunderland, a team currently performing well, which marked their sixth draw in 17 games this season. The team will see the return of full-back Darnell Furlong, who served a one-game suspension for accumulating five bookings. Additionally, centre-back Kyle Bartley could be available after making his first start in seven games. Bartley was substituted at half-time during the Sunderland match, with makeshift stand-in Uros Racic stepping in as a temporary replacement, but manager Corberan has since stated that Bartley is “in better condition.” When confronting a PNE team that has also proven quite proficient at drawing, having recorded eight stalemates this season, Albion will be without summer acquisition Ousmane Diakite due to a knee injury and winger Grady Diangana because of a calf issue. Defenders Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair also remain unavailable. Ajayi was sidelined on 31 October for a period of four months after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury, while McNair is currently halfway through an anticipated eight-week recovery period, also due to a hamstring injury. The goal-shy Baggies, who have struggled to score at home with only four goals this season but have demonstrated a greater offensive presence away from home with 14 goals in nine matches, continue to be without striker Daryl Dike, who is not anticipated to return to fitness until January at the earliest as he recovers from another ruptured Achilles tendon. During Friday’s press conference, Corberan became visibly animated when questioned about fan frustration, stating that he “pays attention to neither negativity nor positivity as it would distract from his job.” He also recalled the team’s standing when he assumed management in October 2022, noting they were 23rd in the table. The upcoming match against Preston will mark Corberan’s 103rd game managing Albion, thereby exceeding his previous highest tally of 102 games, achieved with Huddersfield Town.