Jose Peseiro gets extra defensive boost as Semi Ajayi returns to West Brom training

Oluwasemilogo Adesewo Ibidapo, popularly called Semi Ajayi is a graduate of the famous Arsenal’s Hale End Academy and has 26 Nigerian caps.

Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has gotten a massive defensive boost ahead of Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying games in November, Soccernet.ng reports.

Super Eagles central defender, Semi Ajayi, who played the entire ninety minutes in Nigeria’s 6-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe, back in September had been out of action since October 21st.

The 29-year-old centre-back picked up an injury after playing just twelve minutes of football in West Brom’s goalless draw against Plymouth Argyle.

Before the game against Plymouth, Ajayi had gotten no playing time since the start of October, and his injury set him further back, but West Brom coach, Carlos Corberán has given an update on the Nigerian.

The Spaniard, speaking in his press conference via West Brom’s official website, ahead of the game at The Hawthorns on Saturday mentioned that Ajayi was back in training.

“Jeremy Sarmiento and Semi Ajayi are two players who, if they complete the training session on Friday, can be part of the matchday squad on Saturday. They both trained on Thursday with the group and they came through that fine,” the 40-year-old told the club’s official website.

“It’s always really positive to add players back to your squad when you have been missing plenty of them in recent weeks. With Semi, we have one more option at centre-back and he was playing in the first XI at the start of the season,” the Hawthorns coach added.

The Baggies are in fine fettle right now, despite their increased injury list, sitting pretty in the Championship table in fifth place and tasting only one defeat in their last nine games.

This news comes as a good one for Peseiro and his coaching staff, as one of the teams senior defenders will most likely be available for the World Cup qualifiers later this month.