Injury update on West Brom trio as return schedule confirmed

Twelve-goal top scorer Maja has been sidelined since early January with an injury and was seen wearing protective footwear at the Baggies' training base a few weeks ago.

The Nigerian frontman, who missed much of last season after ankle surgery, has not yet featured since head coach Tony Mowbray's appointment that same month and Albion have missed his inspired form in front of goal from the first half of the campaign.

Club captain Wallace has not played since the draw at his former club Millwall in mid-February, where he suffered a calf setback. Defender Ajayi hurt his hamstring in just the second match after coming back from a similar injury last month.

The trio are unlikely to be ready as Albion return to Championship action at Norwich on Saturday, but Mowbray estimated the following week, which brings crunch games against Sunderland, Bristol City and Watford, is a likely timeframe.

"I think they will be another week or potentially two on the back of that (international break) and then I think there’s a realistic chance that they might be getting close to being ready," Mowbray said.

The boss added of their influence: "The more fit players we have got, the better it is for the team and the group really because you have got better options coming off the bench, whoever goes on the bench or whoever starts the game."

Wallace and Ajayi have both been squad players for much of the campaign with others preferred in their positions. Both, though, remain important back-up and competition to more regular first-team options.

Ajayi, 31, is out of the contract at the end of the season after six years at The Hawthorns.

"It’s a collective that gets you over the line, I think," added Mowbray. "Hopefully they will get fit before the end of the season or if we manage to make the play-offs they are available and fit and ready for those games as well. It’s important.

"They are striving hard to get fit, they are putting a lot of hours in in the treatment room. I think everybody at the club knows what the expectation is, what we want to try and achieve and so everybody has to try and be ready to help."