West Brom top scorer Maja out with lower leg injury
Managerless West Bromwich Albion have been dealt another blow after losing top scorer Josh Maja with “a lower leg injury”.
The 26-year-old is second-highest scorer in the Championship this season, with 12 goals from 26 matches, behind only Norwich City’s Borja Sainz.
But Albion say he will have to undergo surgery, before a period of rehabilitation and that he will be out for “several weeks”., external
After a hat-trick in the surprise opening-day 3-1 win at Queens Park Rangers, Maja has continued to prove more prolific on the road, scoring in five more away games.
But he has now also scored four times at The Hawthorns, to move within three goals of Sainz, who is also currently not playing while he serves a six-game ban for spitting.
Albion are still without US international striker Daryl Dike, who has now been out almost a year after a second ruptured Achilles tendon in 10 months and is still only training sporadically.
Albion remain without a permanent head coach three weeks on from Carlos Corberan’s departure on Christmas Eve.
Since then, Albion have climbed a place from seventh to sixth in the Championship table under the caretaker management team of club coaches Chris Brunt, Damia Abella and Boaz Myhill, picking up five points out of a possible 12.
They thought they were close to an appointment last week, but Swiss Raphael Wicky turned down the approach as he was not able to bring in his preferred backroom team.
Names continue to get linked with the role, the latest being Sean Dyche, but the former Watford, Burnley and Everton boss may not necessarily fit the club’s original job spec for “expressive” football.
Josh Maja Ends Goal Drought with Brace as West Brom Sink Preston
Josh Maja broke his eight-game goal drought in style, scoring twice as West Bromwich Albion cruised to a 3-1 victory over Preston North End in their Sky Bet Championship clash.
Maja opened the scoring in the 18th minute, expertly converting a Mikey Johnston assist.
Callum Styles doubled the lead in the 35th minute with a well-taken goal, completing a dominant first half for the Baggies.
Maja then doubled his tally five minutes before halftime, giving the home side a commanding lead.
Preston managed to claw one back in the 70th minute when Ryan Ledson capitalized on a defensive error to fire home from inside the box. However, the visitors couldn’t build on their momentum.
Maja, who came close to a hat-trick, was substituted in the 74th minute for Devante Cole, ending his impactful performance.
The 24-year-old now boasts 12 goals in 25 Championship appearances this season, underlining his importance to Carlos Corberán’s side.
With the win, West Brom extended their unbeaten home record to three months. They also climbed to fifth place in the provisional standings, solidifying their push for promotion.
