Jeremy Sarmiento, who is currently on loan, is expected to make a return to the West Bromwich Albion first team for their upcoming match against Hull City this Saturday. The 21-year-old Brighton youngster has been sidelined for five games due to an ankle injury, with his last appearance coming as a late substitute in a 4-0 win over Preston over a month ago.
Sarmiento initially felt the issue during his first and, so far, only start for Albion in a goalless draw against Millwall at The Hawthorns. Although he was deemed fit enough to be a substitute in the Preston match, the injury was later confirmed.
West Bromwich Albion is eagerly awaiting Sarmiento’s full potential to shine during his season-long loan spell from Brighton, where he arrived with a strong reputation as one of Brighton’s promising young attacking talents. Manager Carlos Corberan had to carefully monitor the player’s fitness due to a limited preseason, and it is hoped that his return to full fitness will help establish more consistency in the team. However, Corberan recognizes the need to manage Sarmiento’s playing time.
Speaking about Sarmiento’s potential return, Corberan mentioned, “He is progressing well, and I think he is going to be ready to be part of the squad in this game.”
Sarmiento made a positive impression on West Bromwich Albion supporters with some promising performances early in the season. The versatile and agile attacker scored his first goal of the loan spell in an exciting 4-2 home win against Middlesbrough at the end of August.
Sarmiento’s primary goal for the loan at Albion was to gain regular playing time and accumulate minutes, as Brighton’s manager Roberto De Zerbi aimed for him to play around 35 matches during the season. However, Sarmiento has faced extended periods of injury, including muscle problems and a fractured metatarsal last season while he was in the Brighton first-team setup.
His recent ankle injury was frustrating for Albion, as they also had key creative player John Swift and top scorer out for an extended period. John Swift is expected to return after the international break this month, as are the center-forward duo Josh Maja and Daryl Dike, with Dike set to make his return at the start of the new year.