"Season over" - West Brom play-off chances handed "massive blow" amid Josh Maja revelation | OneFootball

FLW's West Brom fan pundit has given his verdict on Josh Maja's injury blow

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

West Brom are set to be without key striker Josh Maja for the rest of the regular season, in what could be a significant blow to the club's play-off hopes.

Tony Mowbray has confirmed that the forward will be unavailable for selection for the final fixtures of the campaign, with the Baggies trying to consolidate their spot in the top six and the end of season promotion scramble.

Maja has been a crucial part of the side when available this year, contributing 12 goals and two assists from 26 appearances in the Championship.

His continuing injury woes therefore could prove a major blow to West Brom amid their push for a second top six finish in the league in a row, having been on the sidelines since January.

Josh Maja injury verdict issued as West Brom goalscoring issues could potentially continue

When asked about Maja’s injury, FLW’s West Brom fan pundit Callum Burgess agreed that this is a major setback for Albion in their pursuit of promotion.

He believes their chances of a play-off finish have decreased with this development, highlighting his impact on the side outside of just his goals.

“With Maja being out for the rest of the season, Albion couldn’t have been dealt a bigger blow,” Burgess told Football League World.

“We know how important his goals are for the team but, as well as that, you have to take into consideration his link-up play, which was so important for us in the first half of the season, and having him alongside Adam Armstrong would’ve no doubt been a very deadly partnership, in my eyes, the potential to be the best in the division.

“So that’s going to be a massive blow to our top six chances.

“In my eyes, our chances of finishing in the top six have dropped a bit.”

Burgess believes the solution to Maja’s absence is to play a front two of Adam Armstrong and Daryl Dike, with the American now back fit and ready to feature after his achilles injury nightmare.

“Now it’s down to Armstrong, Daryl Dike and Karlan Grant to get the goals to hopefully secure our place in the top six,” Callum added.

“I’ve confidence that they’ll be able to get a couple goals by the end of the season.

“I’d like to see Mowbray try a front two with Armstrong and Dike in due course, now that Dike’s been able to get some minutes off the bench, I’d like to see the two of them start together, similar to how Grant started alongside Armstrong against Hull.

“I’d like to see Dike come in for Grant from now on, if we do play a front two.

“But with Maja being out for the rest of the season, it was a similar case to last year where he was gradually making his way back from a serious injury ahead of the play-offs and we was able to make the bench in both legs against Southampton, but he was not able to come off the bench.

“So, there’s probably a good chance that this is Maja’s season over.”

West Brom's play-off chances with no Josh Maja have realistically decreased

West Brom still have solid forward options without Maja being available, but he has been their biggest threat in the final third all year.

So, losing his goals and link-up play for a further period, when many expected him to be back within the next week, will be a huge blow for Albion.

Tony Mowbray's side still have a chance at a top six finish if they can string together a run of good form in the final weeks, but the Championship can of course be a cruel mistress at the best of times.