Mikey Johnston Faces Extended Injury Setback for West Brom

West Bromwich Albion have been dealt a significant blow with the news that midfielder Mikey Johnston faces an “extended period” on the sidelines after another setback with his ankle.

The 27-year-old has managed just one appearance this season, a Carabao Cup tie against Rotherham United, despite initially being passed fit following the fracture he suffered in February during a Championship game at Oxford.

Albion’s director of medical Tony Strudwick described the situation as “a complex injury” and admitted there is no clear end in sight.

He told the club’s website that he could not put a “specific timeline” on Johnston’s return.

Johnston’s ankle fracture at Oxford healed well enough for West Brom to ease him back over the summer. The medical staff built his workload carefully, trimming the intensity but keeping him involved. He got 45 minutes against Notts County, another 45 against Coventry, 25 against Peterborough and then 30 minutes of competitive action in the cup against Rotherham.

Then the pain came back.

A fresh scan revealed a further problem in the same ankle. West Brom moved quickly, seeking opinions from two leading ankle specialists in the country. On their advice, Johnston has now started a new treatment plan that, crucially, does not involve surgery.

For player and club, it is a cruel interruption to a story that had been gathering momentum. Johnston rejoined Albion from Celtic in August 2024 after a successful four-month loan spell at The Hawthorns, and he has already racked up 99 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Now West Brom must plan without him again, and Johnston faces another long road back just when he thought he had reached the end of the last one.