West Brom latest: Mikey Johnston/Celtic update, Jed Wallace on Corberan, Shane Long makes Dike comparison | OneFootball

With the international break upon us, West Bromwich Albion have been afforded a rare break in their pursuit of the Championship play-off spots this week.

With the likes of Leeds, Leicester, and Ipswich well ahead, any automatic promotion hopes at this stage are not realistic. However, with the Baggies currently sitting fifth in the division, finishing inside the top six and getting a shot at promotion via Wembley is a real possibility.

As you can see above, Corberan's side are eight points clear of seventh-placed Hull City, meaning West Brom will really fancy their chances.

Putting aside the current league table, though, despite it being the international break, the Baggies news has continued to roll in, some of which we have discussed below.

Mikey Johnston/Celtic update

One strand of West Brom news in recent days is regarding Mikey Johnston, currently on loan at The Hawthorns from Scottish giants Celtic.

The 24-year-old Irish international has made 10 Championship outings for the Baggies since his arrival in the winter transfer window, scoring six goals in those matches.

In potentially good news for West Brom, it now appears Celtic could be willing to sell the player permanently this summer.

As per Chris Dunlavy in the Football League Paper (p10, 24/03), via West Brom News, the Hoops are willing to sell, although their asking price will depend on how many clubs come in for him.

Dunlavy predicts that the Baggies will not be the only side interested in taking Johnston permanently.

Wallace on Corberan

In further Baggies news, midfielder Jed Wallace has been discussing club boss Carlos Corberan and the play-offs.

Corberan has previous play-off experience, having came close to promotion in 2021/22 with Huddersfield Town, guiding the Terriers to Wembley only to be beaten in controversial fashion by Nottingham Forest.

Wallace does not believe that experience gives Corberan the edge, because he does not believe Corberan could not be any more prepared.

“I don’t think he could have more of an extra edge if he tried," Wallace explained, via BirminghamLive.

“His motivation is insane. I agree, Huddersfield were unlucky in that game. For me, he’s a top manager and I don’t think anyone deserves the chance to manage in the league above more than he does. We know there’s a lot of football to play but if there’s a manager you’d want in a play off campaign.

"He’ll probably watch every single game the other teams in the play-offs have watched in the last two years and we’d have the perfect plan for it - he’s the manager to have when you enter the crunch time of the season. It’s impossible not to go with him - and you can see that.

“You have every opportunity to play well here, because of the staff we have - the manager , the medical staff, the chefs, they go above and beyond for us. We get every chance to play well as an individiual and a team - you’re not always going to be at the top of your game, but you can see how hard we work at our game.”

Shane Long makes Dike/Lukaku comparison

Last but not least, former Baggies striker Shane Long has been discussing the current squad at the Hawthorns.

As well as discussing the likes of Grady Diangana, Mikey Johnston, John Swift and Jed Wallace, Long also turned his attention to Daryl Dike and his recent injury, comparing him to one of his former teammates.

"It's such a shame to see Daryl Dike out again with another long-term injury; he reminded me a little bit, actually, of Romelu Lukaku." Long explained to Ladbrokes Fanzone, via BirminghamLive.

"I played against him when he was at Barnsley and he's such a tough opponent; a great goalscorer who, once he gets going, is so hard to stop. But with those big legs and that power and speed, comes injuries.

"Hopefully Dike's injury is something the players can rally around, and even use as motivation for the rest of the season; you know, do it for him... make sure he's returning to fitness as a Premier League player."