Interviews

Webster boosts case for the defence

More options at the back for Albion against Brentford on Boxing Day.

By Bruce Talbot • 25 December 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
Adam Webster has been back in training this week.

Adam Webster’s return could give Graham Potter another selection option for the Boxing Day game against Brentford.

The head coach has confirmed that Neal Maupay, who would be playing against his former club, Danny Welbeck and Pascal Gross are all back in contention for the visit of Thomas Frank’s side.

But defender Webster could also be involved, providing he comes through training unscathed on Christmas Day.

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Potter's Brentford press conference

The 26-year-old was injured in the 1-1 draw at West Ham on 1 December, but with two of Albion’s last three games postponed he has only missed two matches this month.

“Adam has been training this week, so providing he comes through the rest of the week okay, he should be available Brentford, so that’s good news for us,” said Potter.

“He hasn’t had a massive amount of time out, but he’s had a disrupted season like quite a few of the guys have since the start of the season.”

Joel Veltman and Dan Burn formed the central defensive partnership against Wolves last time out but as well as Webster’s likely return Shane Duffy will also be available after serving a one-match ban.

By Paul Hazlewood
Shane Duffy is back in contention after serving a one-match suspension.

“We’re still defensively quite strong, despite the fact we’ve had to change who has played there,” said Potter, whose side have the fifth best defensive record in the division.

“We played against Leeds and constructed attacks from the back with Lewis [Dunk] and Adam, then those two got injured. Then we had Shane [Duffy] and Dan [Burn] and then Shane got suspended. That’s the way it has been, but we’ve adapted well.

Potter confirmed that Dunk is progressing well from the knee injury he suffered at West Ham and is targeting a return in late-January. “There’s an outside chance for Crystal Palace or Leicester City before that break, if not it will be after,” said Potter.