Mikey Johnston Faces Extended Sidelines Due to Ankle Injury

West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston faces an “extended period” on the sidelines after suffering a fresh setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.

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 sustained in a Championship match at Oxford in February.

Albion’s director of medical Tony Strudwick described the problem as “a complex injury” and admitted the club cannot yet say when Johnston will be back.

“Mikey had an initial fracture to his ankle at Oxford. This healed and enabled us to build him up over pre-season as part of a reduced load,” Strudwick told the club’s website.

The medical team eased Johnston back carefully. He played 45 minutes against Notts County and Coventry, 25 minutes against Peterborough, then 30 minutes of competitive football in the cup against Rotherham.

Then the pain returned.

A scan revealed a further issue in the same ankle. West Brom turned to two leading ankle specialists in the country, and after consultation Johnston has been placed on a new treatment plan that, crucially, does not currently involve surgery.

It is a significant frustration for both player and club. Johnston joined permanently from Celtic in August 2024 after a successful four-month loan at The Hawthorns and has already racked up 99 appearances for Albion in all competitions.

Now West Brom must plan without him again, with no clear date yet for when their wide man will be ready to pull the shirt back on.