---
title: "West Brom: Journalist provides positive Matt Clarke update"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-brom-journalist-provides-positive-matt-clarke-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Championship News"
published: "2021-10-05T11:35:14Z"
modified: "2021-10-05T11:35:14Z"
---

# West Brom: Journalist provides positive Matt Clarke update

**West Brom centre-back Matt Clarke played 45 minutes and came through unscathed for the Under-23s on Monday, according to journalist Joe Chapman.**

### The Lowdown: Clarke injured this season

Clarke joined the Baggies on loan from Brighton in the summer, in what was seen as a strong signing by Valerien Ismael.

The 25-year-old has been limited to just [three Championship appearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/141647/Show/Matthew-Clarke) because of a hamstring injury picked up in August, however, stunting his start to life at the Hawthorns.

\[freshpress-poll id=”373838″\]

### The Latest: Defender makes positive progress

Clarke is making good progress in his recovery, though, and he started the U23s’ Premier League 2 clash with Sunderland on Monday evening.

Chapman of [*The Birmingham Mail*](https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/west-brom-sunderland-clarke-zohore-21758386) took to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/ChapmanJ92/status/1445102821557342208?s=20) to deliver a five-word update on the centre-back’s 45-minute showing, saying:

> “Came through it seemingly fine.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”343772″\]

### The Verdict: Key man moving forward

This is a big positive for Valerien Ismael, who is already without Dara O’Shea at the back for a large stint of the season.

Clarke’s return should add competition for places and the fact that West Brom have [won all three games](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/141647/Show/Matthew-Clarke) he has started speaks volumes.

It could be that he is deemed fit enough to face Birmingham City a week on Friday – if not, his return to the fold looks to be sooner rather than later.

***In other news, West Brom are sweating over the fitness of another player. Find out who it is [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/championship/west-bromwich-albion/west-brom-baggies-sweating-over-alex-mowatt-injury/).***