West Brom waiting on news of defender Joe Mattock's foot injury

Nov 24 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

JOE Mattock has handed Albion a fitness boost after scans revealed that he had suffered no more than a badly bruised foot.

The left-back was stretchered off in Saturday's 4-1 win against Bristol City.

It was initially feared that he had suffered a major injury but tests have shown there is no fracture.

He will be assessed throughout the week and could be fit for Saturday's game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The 19-year-old has been growing in confidence and improving with form following an indifferent opening to his Baggies career.

And team-mate Jonas Olsson admits that the youngster is starting to mature, having suffered at the hands of Leicester's boo-boys earlier this month when he made his first return to his former club.
Olsson believes Mattock has a bright future and is more than capable of replacing ex-long serving left-back Paul Robinson, who moved to Bolton in the summer.

"Looking back at the game against Leicester it was difficult for him to go back to his old club," said Olsson.

"I think he played maybe his best game of the season there.

"That shows character that he is a mature player even if he is only 19.

"I had Robbo on my left side last season and I enjoyed playing with him, but Joe has come in and I really enjoy playing alongside him.

"Robbo leaving was a big hole to fill and I think Joe has done brilliantly so far.

"He is 19 and already playing well in the league, he has a bright future ahead of him.

"He is a good character and a humble guy, you can speak to him and direct him on the field and he will listen to you.

"I really enjoy playing with him and I hope to play next to him for a long time.

"He has been showing good consistency in the first 16 games and I was very impressed with his performance at Leicester."