West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray has heaped praise on Nigerian striker Josh Maja as he nears a return to full training following a leg injury suffered in January.
Maja was spotted wearing a protective boot at Albion’s training ground this week as he stepped up his recovery process ahead of the club’s final push for promotion.
The striker underwent surgery on what the club described as a lower leg injury, with an initial timeline predicting he would be out for a couple of months. Mowbray, however, has indicated that Maja’s road to full fitness could take several more weeks.
Before his injury, Maja was one of West Brom’s standout performers, scoring 12 goals and providing two assists in 26 league games. His impressive form helped push the club into contention for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
However, since his absence, Albion has struggled in the Championship, dropping to fifth in the standings and now fighting to secure a playoff spot.
Speaking to Express & Star, Mowbray expressed his admiration for the striker’s abilities and past performances, revealing that he previously attempted to sign him during his time at Blackburn Rovers.
“He’s a good player, I’d tried to sign him at Blackburn, we know his quality and how good he is,” Mowbray said. “He’s a bit different to some of the others.”
As West Brom continues their battle for promotion, the potential return of Maja could provide a much-needed boost in their bid to secure a spot in the Premier League next season.
