West Brom manager Steve Clarke is concerned about the fitness of striker Shane Long and midfielder Claudio Yacob ahead of the Premier League game against Southampton on Monday evening.
The Baggies will host the newly promoted side at the Hawthorns after this weekend. Having suffered defeat against Newcastle last weekend at St. James’ Park, Clarke will be targeting a victory after seeing his side’s flying start to the league deteriorate.
West Brom have now suffered three losses in the league. Following their bright start to the campaign, with victories against the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Everton-c39043 and enjoying a formidable form at home, West Brom have considerably dipped in form.
The club lost at Craven Cottage to Fulham, then tasted defeat at the hands of current English champions at home. Having gone down to ten men, City still managed to outfox the Baggies, who experienced their first home loss in the league.
The City defeat was followed by the loss at St. James’ Park, where a late Demba Papiss Cisse strike robbed them from getting any points on the day.
Steve Clarke is concerned over his players after he looks to bounce back from two consecutive losses. Long was recently omitted from http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Republic-of-Ireland-c2987 squad due to a doubts about his fitness.
Clarke however remains hopeful that the striker can pass fitness tests and start for the team on Monday. Speaking to the club’s official website, the manager said:
“For us, we’re doing as we have done with Shane over the last couple of weeks. We’re managing him between games and trying to get him fit for Monday night. He joined in training today and fingers crossed he’ll be fit for Monday.”
Midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Claudio-Yacob-c9331 is also a doubt after he picked up a knock in the game against Manchester City. Clarke added:
“Yacob has a good week of rehabilitation. He joined in a part-session this morning and we’ll have to monitor him again tomorrow to see how he has come through that session. But he was back on the training pitch today, so injury wise we’re looking okay.”
The manager will find comfort in the fact that club captain http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chris-c9006 Brunt will be available for the game on Monday, and will hope the midfielder is able to lead the team to victory against the Saints.
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