West Brom v Coventry Team News: 4 players out, including £15m star forward

A fierce West Midlands derby is set to take centre stage at The Hawthorns on Saturday lunchtime, as West Brom welcome Coventry City in a clash that pits two sides with very different ambitions in the Championship table.

Albion are still waiting for their first league victory under Eric Ramsay, though back-to-back stalemates against Stoke City and Birmingham City have at least provided a platform to build on.

Even so, the Welsh boss will be eager to secure three points quickly, with the Baggies hovering uncomfortably close to the relegation zone. Recent wins for Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth have only intensified the pressure in the battle for survival.

Coventry, on the other hand, arrive full of confidence after rediscovering their winning touch. A run of three matches without victory had sparked concerns their promotion push was faltering, especially as Middlesbrough climbed above them.

But the Sky Blues delivered a statement performance on Monday night, brushing aside Boro 3-1 thanks to a superb Haji Wright hat-trick to reclaim top spot.

The big question now is whether Coventry can maintain that momentum, or if West Brom can derail their surge and take a major stride toward safety.

Ahead of what promises to be a lively occasion, several players are set to miss out.

West Brom could receive a boost with George Campbell nearing a return, but Chris Mepham is expected to remain sidelined. The Welsh defender picked up a hamstring injury late on against Stoke and has already missed clashes with Birmingham and Norwich.

Ramsay has described the issue as “moderate,” with a recovery timeline of around four to five weeks, potentially keeping him out until after the March international break.

Karlan Grant will also be absent. The £15m forward suffered a hamstring injury early in the draw at Derby County that required surgery, ruling him out for roughly three months. There is optimism he could feature again before the campaign concludes.

Attacking midfielder Tammer Bany is another unavailable option. Since joining in February 2025, the Jordan international has endured a frustrating spell with injuries.

A ruptured thigh sustained in training in December has kept him out for four months, and he may not return before the season ends, having made just five appearances since arriving from Randers.

For Coventry, the injury list is shorter. With Brandon Thomas-Asante back from suspension, their only long-term absentee remains goalkeeper Oliver Dovin.

The 23-year-old has been out for 10 months with an ACL injury, and while no firm return date has been set, Carl Rushworth has filled in admirably between the posts. Still, Coventry will hope Dovin can return soon to strengthen their options as the promotion race intensifies.