James McClean had to be substituted during the early stages of the second-half of West Bromwich Albion’s friendly with Bristol Rovers.
Tony Pulis has admitted that he has been left concerned about the fitness of James McClean after the winger picked up an injury in West Brom’s clash with Bristol Rovers at the weekend, the Express and Star reports.
The Baggies fell to a 2-1 defeat away at the League One side, but perhaps more worryingly for Pulis, a number of injury issues emerged with Matt Phillips being pulled out of the starting line-up due to a hamstring injury, according to the Express and Star, and Chris Brunt being replaced in the latter stages of the first-half.
West Bromwich Albion midfielder James McClean
But while Pulis played down the concerns over Brunt and Phillips, he conceded that the situation surrounding McClean is more alarming.
“I don’t think Brunty’s is that serious but James McClean, we are worried about James,” he said, as reported by the Express and Star.
“It’s round his knee and with the size of the squad at the moment, we don’t want to pick up any injuries.
“Matt had a tight hamstring before the game, and we think that’s something to do with his back.
“Matt is quite tight in his back at times so that was a precaution more than anything else.”
West Brom supporters will be hoping that the injury to the Republic of Ireland international inspires some more impetus in the transfer window.
Tony Pulis
As Pulis alluded to, the Baggies are working with one of the smallest squads in the Premier League, and for them to enjoy a successful season, they surely require a tremendous amount of luck when it comes to injuries.
But having three important players suffer in such a short space of time – though it appears that at least two of the knocks are not serious – should perhaps highlight how vulnerable they may be if they do not sign anymore players before this summer’s deadline.
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