Interviews

Carlos Corberán offers fitness update on returning duo & international trio

Josh Maja in training screaming for the ball

Carlos Corberán says his squad has been heavily bolstered as a result of Josh Maja and John Swift returning to training. 

Swift, who is currently Albion's top goalscorer on six strikes, hasn't featured since the fixture against Birmingham City on October 6, with Maja missing the last 10 matches after picking up an injury in the 0-0 draw at Bristol City on September.

In addition, trio Semi Ajayi, Grady Diangana and Jayson Molumby have reported back to base in good health having represented their respective countries during the international break. 

And the boss believes the Baggies are now clearly in a much "stronger" position in terms of availability heading into Saturday's clash with Ipswich Town than where they were before the last match at Southampton two weeks ago.

John Swift will be hoping to feature against Ipswich on Saturday evening

Carlos said: "It’s always very positive to see the group grow.

"We have recovered players who were out of the team through injury, players like John Swift and Josh Maja.

"Jeremy Sarmiento has also had two more weeks to recover too and get fitter and stronger.

"We have more options in attack and I think we are always stronger when we have everyone available and ready to compete.

"We need to see how John Swift and Josh Maja react to the training sessions this week before making a decision about Saturday’s game. The decision will be based on the physical values that they have achieved and the reaction of the body to the stimulation from training during the week.

"I am feeling positive about both players though."

Josh Maja has missed two months

"Every scenario is different in terms of the players we have had away on international duty.

"Semi Ajayi played 90 minutes in both of his games for Nigeria which is a real positive, especially when he hasn’t been playing for most of the minutes with our team.

"He’s has the possibility to play and he has recovered well."

Semi Ajayi started both of Nigeria's 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

"It’s a similar scenario for Jayson Molumby. He wasn’t playing all the minutes in the previous games for us, but he had the possibility to play 90 minutes for Ireland on Tuesday night.

"It’s positive because he showed a good level. It’s another way to strengthen the squad.

"Grady Diangana only played 45 minutes in the second game for DR Congo because he received a bit of a kick to the ankle. Thankfully, he hasn’t suffered an injury and has been training with the group. He’ll be ready to be part of the squad."

  • Corberan
  • Ajayi
  • Molumby
  • Diangana
  • Swift
  • Maja