Mikey Johnston Faces Extended Injury Layoff at West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion winger Mikey Johnston faces another long spell on the sidelines after suffering a fresh setback with his troublesome ankle.

The 27-year-old has managed just one appearance this season – a Carabao Cup tie against Rotherham United – despite being cleared to return following the fracture he suffered in February during a Championship match at Oxford.

Albion’s director of medical Tony Strudwick described the problem as “a complex injury” and admitted the club cannot yet put “a specific timeline” on Johnston’s comeback.

Johnston’s initial ankle fracture healed over the summer, allowing Albion to ease him back through pre-season on a carefully managed workload. He featured for 45 minutes against both Notts County and Coventry, added 25 minutes against Peterborough, and then stepped up to 30 minutes of competitive action in the cup against Rotherham.

That was when the alarm bells rang. Johnston reported renewed pain in the ankle, and scans revealed a further issue.

West Brom turned to two leading ankle specialists in the country for assessment. On their advice, Johnston is now following a non-surgical treatment plan as the club look to protect both his short-term recovery and long-term fitness.

It is a bitter blow for a player who rejoined Albion from Celtic in August 2024 after an impressive four-month loan spell at The Hawthorns. He has made 99 appearances for the club in all competitions, and his wait for the century now stretches into an uncertain “extended period” on the treatment table.