NIGEL Clough is hoping John Brayford will recover in time to face Preston after a hefty collision at Rotherham that forced the player to miss the second half of the 2-1 win.
Brayford ran into Chris O’Grady as they both tried to bundle the ball into the net. The defender played on and put in the cross for Albion’s second strike but was substituted at half-time as a precaution and was taken to hospital.
The Albion boss is expecting him to recover for Monday’s home game against Preston
He said: “John got checked out last night and got the all clear. He was pretty dazed after the collision and if there’s one lad you don’t want to be hit by then it’s Chris O’Grady. John slipped as he was going in for the rebound and collided with Chris’s hip – hitting his head. He fell back and banged his head again. He didn’t lose consciousness but was dazed.
“We have worked with John the last 16 years on and off and we knew he wouldn’t get on the stretcher after the collision. He thought he was OK but as he was still a bit dazed at half-time we don’t take chances with anybody and John’s too important to us for the rest of the season.
“It was his birthday as well so not the best time for him but I’m sure making the second goal with a lovely cross will help make up a bit for it.”
Jamie Ward should also be fit for Monday after only making the bench last night.
Clough said: “It was a difficult one last night as he had been feeling his hamstring the day before the game so ideally we didn’t want to risk him. To get the three points without having to put him out there gives him a better chance of playing against Preston and Watford.
“Ben Turner (hamstring) we are still not sure about yet. Kyle McFadzean is carrying a knock- when you get to this stage of the season, the majority of the players are carrying something. That’s why it’s important to have players like Tom Flanagan and Marcus Harness to come on and I think you saw their freshness last night.”