West Brom expect Toby Collyer to miss five to six weeks with hamstring injury

West Bromwich Albion said on Wednesday, 21 October, that midfielder Toby Collyer is expected to miss five to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained during Saturday’s Championship win over Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns. The absence could keep him out of 10 matches before 12 December, according to the Express & Star.

Collyer was withdrawn shortly before half-time as West Brom came from behind to win 3-2. The BBC also reported that the 22-year-old was forced off before the interval and could be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Collyer’s expected return after the hamstring scan

“As always, we will fully support Toby in his recovery – and if everything goes to plan he should return to match action in early December,” Strudwick said. The projected return to training is distinct from a return to playing; the club has given no fixed date for either.

How the injury affects West Brom’s midfield

The Blackburn match was Collyer’s third start in eight days, the Express & Star reported. Head coach James Morrison said afterwards that he had gone against medical staff advice by starting him because he felt the midfielder would be important in the fixture. Morrison had hoped to use Collyer for up to 60 minutes, but he felt discomfort before half-time.

Collyer joined West Brom permanently from Manchester United in the summer for a reported £4 million. Injuries had also interrupted his loan spell at The Hawthorns last season; the BBC reported that a subsequent hamstring problem curtailed a loan spell with Hull City before his permanent move.

West Brom are due to visit Preston on Saturday and then travel to West Ham, according to the Express & Star. With Collyer sidelined, the club’s other midfield options include Jayson Molumby, Ousmane Diakite and fellow summer recruit Rabby Nzingoula.