The West Brom forward is considered doubtful for Sunday’s trip to Watford due to exhaustion, despite his incredible solo goal against Coventry on Wednesday night, Grant has been struggling.
When asked about Kyle Bartley and Grady Diangana’s preparations for the match, manager Carlos Corberan said, “The fact that we made the right decision the other day with Bartley allows him to be in condition for selection.” It does not necessarily imply that he will play. He is up for selection.
Grady has trained today [Friday] but we need to wait because the previous game he was training but the last day he was feeling pain. Still we have training Saturday. Let’s see how he is, how he reacts from training but I cannot make any conclusion on this so I don’t know.
“A player that is more in doubt is Grant because after the last game he was feeling fatigue and he has not been in his normal condition but still we have time. Let’s say that he is a doubt.
“It’s not an injury. The fact he is playing many games, his hamstrings feel fatigued but every 24 hours counts to make the right decision. If he doesn’t recover well he will be out of the squad. If he recovers well he will be in. If he recovers very well he can start the game.
“I feel confident (with the other options available if he is out) because it is true that we have alternatives. First of all I cannot guarantee that he is going to be out. I am being transparent with the message that I received today. Maybe tomorrow Grant is 100% ready to start and not to be on the bench. Maybe not.
The other day with Bartley the medical advice was he is not in 100% condition to start the game. He is useful if you need him from the bench. Around 30 to 40 minutes. Against Sunderland it was the same situation with Bartley but then the pain in the knee of Diakite meant that we had to take the risk but only 45 minutes. The situation forces you to make decisions.”
Assessing the challenge Watford pose, he explained: “Very good. I like their team a lot. You need to know that under Tom Cleverley they haven’t lost any single game at home. Not this season or last year. Watford are always one club I respect a lot because the potential of players that they have for me is huge.
“It is a club that when you face them you know you are going to face physically strong players with very good technique, quick and players that are going to compete well. We know this. They feel very comfortable.
“Last year if you remember they created a lot of problems at our home, we had a draw with an amazing goal from Furlong at the end but until this moment they were showing their credentials in the competition. It is one team that is going to be in a good position in the table.”
