West Brom manager Slaven Bilic has confirmed that full-back Kieran Gibbs will not be available for his side’s Championship promotion-decider away at QPR on Wednesday night.
Victory for the Baggies will guarantee them their place in the Premier League for next season, although it looks as though they are going to have to make sure of that without the help of former Arsenal defender Gibbs.
The defender has missed the Baggies’ last four games since suffering a hamstring injury in a 4-2 win at home to Hull earlier this month, and it seems that absence is set to continue.
Providing an update on the fitness of his squad ahead of the trip to QPR, Bilic was quoted by The Birmingham Mail as saying: “They’re all fine. Kieran is the only one, let’s be honest, that is still feeling a little bit tight.
“I don’t believe that disturbs QPR. He won’t be ready for selection.”
Will Kieran Gibbs be missed against QPR?YesNo |
This will be disappointing for Gibbs, who having been in and out of the side this season, would surely have wanted to be on the pitch if and when promotion is secured, particularly having been part of the side that suffered relegation two years ago.
For West Brom as well, this will surely be disappointing, given his experience and ability could certainly have been useful in an especially high-pressure game such as the one they face at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
However, it should be noted that Conor Townsend has done well recently while stepping into the side in place of Gibbs, suggesting that West Brom may be able to cope without him as well for what is such an important match on Wednesday.
