Albion boss Carlos Corberan believes the absence of Semi Ajayi during the AFCON in January would give Caleb Taylor to replace the Nigerian during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the New Year.
Corberan and the Baggies may well find themselves shorter on numbers in early 2024 with defender Ajayi, barring injury, a strong candidate to head to the African showpiece tournament with Nigeria.
The Hawthorns head coach admitted one of the reasons for keeping Taylor on site as opposed to another loan spell was to cover the Nigerian, who is 30 next month, as he jets off to Cote d’Ivoire.
“One of the reasons Caleb is here is exactly for this, I want to make him ready,” said Corberan.
“We know that Ajayi, if normal, will go with the national team in January. He’s been an important player for Nigeria so he will have possibilities.
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“In football we cannot think about January, we are in October, but I want to have the players ready, with the ideas, with the training, everything.”
The major tournament begins on January 13 and Nigeria play their first match the following day. The final is February 11, meaning Ajayi could miss up to five Albion fixtures.
Ajayi featured for his nation, winning a 26th cap, in a friendly against Saudi Arabia last week.
“Caleb is here so that when the moment arrives he is ready,” the head coach continues. “That can be with Ajayi here or without him because he is with Nigeria, we cannot know yet.
Albion are not especially short of central defensive options. Ajayi was in the side this season prior to injury but Cedric Kipre, Kyle Bartley and Erik Pieters have also been regulars.
