West Bromwich Albion reporter Lewis Cox was relieved to discover Alex Palmer will only be out for six weeks due to injury.

The Lowdown: Palmer’s absence

After starting off the season as the second-choice goalkeeper to David Button under Steve Bruce, Palmer won the No 1 spot towards the end of Bruce’s tenure and extended that under Carlos Corberan, starting 17 Championship games so far this term.

The 26-year-old has been part of one of the best defences in the country of late, with him keeping nine clean sheets and conceding just 13 in his starts so far, letting in just five under the Spaniard.

However, he missed Friday night's 1-0 win against Coventry City, with Button reclaiming his place between the sticks.

The Latest: Cox’s update

Speaking on Express & Star following the 1-0 win, Cox revealed the extent of Palmer’s injury will leave him sidelined for over a month but was relieved to report that it’s not as bad as first feared, saying:

“The fear was out for the season, wasn't it? Nothing against David Button, but just from how good Palmer has been, it would be pretty disastrous, really, wouldn’t it?

“It was suggested pre-game that it wasn’t as bad as the rumour was, and we've just had it confirmed there from Carlos Corberan in his post-match press conference that it’s six weeks that Alex Palmer will miss.

“It’s not great, is it, because Palmer has been integral, really, under the head coach. He’s really been immense, I would say, one of Albion’s top performers.”

The Verdict: Big loss?

The news of Palmer’s absence could hardly have come at a worse time for the Baggies, with the January transfer window closing just days before, and the option to bring in an alternative going off the table unless they headed down the free-agent route.

Although disappointing, it will be a relief for West Brom fans to know it's not as bad as first feared, and he’ll be set to return for the busy end to the season, with the Baggies now well in the play-off hunt.

It has handed a chance back to Button to reclaim that first-choice spot even when Palmer does return if he can impress, with the 33-year-old’s comeback beginning well as he maintained the Baggies' run of not conceding in seven straight home games.