Club News

Thorne recalled to ease injury headache

Yacob to miss United trip and key trio major doubts

GEORGE Thorne has been recalled from his loan spell at Peterborough to help ease Albion’s midfield injury problems – and he goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Manchester United (ko 3pm).

Jonas Olsson (groin), Youssouf Mulumbu and Goran Popov (both hamstring) are all major doubts for the Old Trafford clash, while the game comes too soon for Claudio Yacob as he continues his recovery from a hamstring problem and Steven Reid (shin).

Thorne has been in impressive form for Posh, starting seven games for the Championship strugglers and scoring his first-ever senior goal in last Saturday’s 5-4 win over Bolton.

“We had a lot of bodies going down towards the end of the QPR game – it was like a scene from Saving Private Ryan!” quipped Baggies joint-assistant head coach Keith Downing, who was speaking at today's pre-match press conference due to the absence of Steve Clarke through illness.

“The medical team will make an assessment later today and we’ll take it from there.

“We’re cautious about bringing Yacob back too soon.

“It’s a case of being patient with him. He is improving all the time but won’t figure in tomorrow’s game.

“George has done exceptionally for Peterborough.

“He’s helped in a resurgence of their results and we’ve always kept an eye on him.

“The important thing with him is he’s trying to establish himself in the game and it’s been a really important part of his education to go away and play real football for Peterborough.

“We’ve always felt George has got the potential to do it but, unfortunately, with the progress of this club, his chances have been limited.

“With Yacob out and Mulumbu a doubt, the centre of midfield is somewhere we needed to strengthen.

“But there are no plans to recall Jerome Thomas.”