West Bromwich Albion head coach Ryan Mason has issued a positive update on the fitness of Super Eagles center forward Josh Maja ahead of The Baggies’ first game of the 2025/2026 EFL Championship season against Blackburn Rovers, Footynaija.com reports.
Maja was sidelined for the second half of the 2024/2025 season after undergoing surgery on an injured calf. At the time, this came as a huge blow for West Brom as the Nigerian striker was their major source of goals with 12 to his name in 26 league outings.
So far, Maja has yet to return to action for the Baggies, missing all of their pre-season matches until now despite being a part of the squad that recently triumphed over Rayo Vallecano in a friendly on Saturday.
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However, West Brom manager Mason delivered a positive update on the Super Eagles forward’s fitness status, suggesting he could be ready to participate for the Baggies as soon as next week when they kick off the new season against Blackburn.
“Obviously, he’s had an extremely long time out,” Mason told Express and Star after the final whistle.
“He’s got to a good place and he just felt a little something, so hopefully it’s nothing serious and he should be OK for the start of the season.”
Despite seeing his campaign brought to an abrupt end by injury, Maja finished the 24/25 season as West Bromwich Albion’s top scorer in the Championship.
The Nigeria international will be desperate to rediscover that lethal goal-scoring edge upon his return to action as he and the Baggies eye a return to the Premier League this season.
