After suffering another injury scare during the 2-2 draw with Ipswich Town, West Brom defender Kyle Bartley is scheduled to be evaluated ahead of Tuesday’s match against Cardiff City, as reported by Lewis Cox. The Express & Star journalist revealed in his article on February 10 that Bartley’s injury will be scanned and evaluated over the course of the next day or two ahead of Tuesday (February 13) by the club after he was substituted by Carlos Corberan at halftime at Portman Road.
Thanks to goals from Tom Fellows and John Swift, the Baggies were within a hair’s breadth of a crucial road victory against a promotion contender, but Omari Hutchinson’s 93rd-minute equalizer denied them (10 February).
After the game, Corberan told Express & Star that his team suffered because of Bartley’s absence, which made him start Okay Yokuslu at center back despite the player’s strong midfield play.
“To be really honest with you, I believe that Bartley’s injury has had a significant impact on the team,” he stated.
“Because at that precise moment, I was witnessing Bartley perform brilliantly and Okay perform brilliantly in the middle of the pitch as well.”
But I recognize that it was the right course of action given their proficiency with set pieces.
A fresh threat of injury at The Hawthorns
The Baggies have struggled with injuries all season long, and on Saturday it became even worse as Daryl Dike appeared to be in danger of suffering yet another long-term injury. Bartley was also substituted out.
Every week, when he was beginning to see several of his important first-team players return to action—especially with his new January acquisitions alongside them—Corberan suffers yet another setback due to injury.
Since they have strikers to replace the American international, Bartley’s injury may perhaps be more serious than Dyke’s, but his leadership and communication at the back will be greatly missed and cannot be replicated.
Although it is anticipated that Dyke’s scans over the next few days reveal no significant injuries, Bartley’s departure at halftime and lack of return speaks volumes about a possible absence against Cardiff.
Given the number of clubs that are hovering uncomfortably close to the Baggies in the Championship playoff race, Tuesday’s encounter at The Hawthorns is a must-win. Corberan cannot afford a significant slip-up on their route to guaranteeing their spot in the top six.
But Bartley’s probable absence might have unfavorable cascading effects.
