West Bromwich Albion is preparing for the potential absence of Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana during the Africa Cup of Nations, as they are expected to be called up to represent Nigeria and the DR Congo, respectively. Birmingham Live reported on November 15 that manager Carlos Corberan has already devised a strategy to manage the team’s performance in the absence of these key players during the tournament scheduled from January 14 to February 11.
The squad’s depth will be put to the test, with Caleb Taylor likely to fill in for Ajayi, while finding a substitute for Diangana poses a more challenging task. If both players are successful with their national teams, they could miss up to five games. The club was aware of the possibility of losing these players for an extended period in the new year, facilitating the planning process. The situation’s impact could be alleviated if Nigeria and the DR Congo do not perform well in the tournament.
West Bromwich Albion’s upcoming matches against Blackburn, Norwich, Plymouth, Birmingham, and Ipswich coincide with the potential absence of Ajayi and Diangana, adding pressure, especially if the team continues to face injury challenges. Diangana has played a crucial role in the team recently, filling in for other injured star players like John Swift and Jeremy Sarmiento. Although the return of Swift and Sarmiento is anticipated soon, the team could face difficulties if injuries persist.
Both Ajayi and Diangana are currently on international duty, indicating their likely inclusion in the official squads for the AFCON in January. Despite the troubling situation, Corberan and his team are proactively preparing for the challenges ahead, demonstrating their readiness to make the best of an unfortunate circumstance.