Tony Mowbray reveals Blackburn Rovers Josh Maja transfer move amid West Brom return update

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Tony Mowbray added an abundance of firepower to his West Brom squad in the transfer window, but admits he is looking forward to working with one striker in particular who he tried to sign during his time at Blackburn Rovers.

The Baggies welcome fellow play-off hopefuls Blackburn on Wednesday night, hoping to make it 12 games unbeaten at The Hawthorns against a side just two points behind them in sixth heading into the Championship play-off clash. 

League rivals would have noticed the attacking options added to Mowbray’s ranks during the January transfer window, especially as Adam Armstrong’s acrobatic finish on his debut helped Albion to a dramatic win over Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

Will Lankshear also joined on loan in the absence of Daryl Dike and Josh Maja, with the latter recording 12 goals in 26 appearances so far this term, making him the league’s third-highest goalscorer this season.

His return from injury will cause a much-welcome selection dilemma for Mowbray, who admitted he has already tried to sign the former Sunderland and Fulham man during his time at Blackburn Rovers.

Tony Mowbray recalls time he tried to sign Josh Maja at Blackburn Rovers

Tony Mowbray had Josh Maja “in the building” during his time at Ewood Park but a deal for the striker failed to materialise.

He said: “I do know Josh because we had him in the building at Blackburn Rovers not too many years ago, trying to sign him!

“It didn’t happen, but he is a nice kid. I watched some pundits pick their EFL team of the season, and he got picked, which shows he’s had a really good season.”

Mowbray is looking forward to working with Maja, who will return from injury with new competition for his starting spot.

He said: “I’m looking forward to working with him. We selected him at Blackburn Rovers because we felt he was a player who could help, and we have inherited him at this club. I’m looking forward to working with him on the grass and the type of player he is. He likes to come to the ball, technically good but he gets in the box and scores goals.”

Tony Mowbray gives Josh Maja West Brom injury return update

Speaking to the press ahead of the huge Championship clash against his former club, Mowbray revealed Maja is “in the building” suggesting the 26-year-old is getting closer to a return from injury.

Maja will not be rushed into first-team action, especially with the reinforcements added in January.

Mowbray added: We’re looking to get him fit, but we’re not pushing him too hard. He’ll be ready when he’s ready; he’ll really compliment the strikers we’ve got.”

Josh Maja suffered a “lower leg injury” that would see him out for “several weeks” in mid-January.

Mowbray will now be in no rush to force his top scorer back into the fold with the added firepower acquired in January.

West Brom v Blackburn Rovers team news

West Brom team news

Albion will be without vice-captain Kyle Bartley who was sent off for his involvement in an altercation after the full-time whistle in the dramatic late win over Sheffield Wednesday. Bartley will face a three-game suspension for violent conduct.

It means Albion will likely line-up with Torbjorn Heggem and Mason Holgate in central defence with Semi Ajayi still sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in ctoberlat year.

Daryl Dike and Josh Maja remain sidelined.

Blackburn Rovers team news

Blackburn Rovers look set to be without Hayden Carter, Sondre Tronstad and Yuki Ohashi on Wednesday night.

John Eustace, who looks set to join Derby County, spoke about injury concerns to his Rovers squad ahead of the FA Cup tie with Wolves at the weekend.

He said: “Hayden is hopefully a week away. You know, he’s worked his socks off to get into a really good position now. Physically, he looks very strong”

Eustace admitted Tronstrad and Ohashi are slightly further behind but should return to action before the end of February.