West Brom could instantly replace Furlong by unleashing “outstanding” gem
West Bromwich Albion would rest easier about Darnell Furlong’s exit with this youngster being given more minutes.
West Bromwich Albion could now be staring a summer of uncertainty in the face, with Carlos Corberan’s position in the Baggies hot-seat looking unsettled more by the day as persistent rumours link him with a move away, alongside first-team personnel being touted to also be leaving.
Darnell Furlong has been spoken of as one face from last season’s play-off clinching side that could now be moved on, with football journalist Alan Nixon speculating that the West Midlands side could get £2m out of their dependable right-back, if he is put up for sale.
Away from attempting to attract a big name to replace the respected Baggies servant, the second-tier outfit could attempt to replicate the success of Tom Fellows’ whirlwind rise this season, by starting this young right-back more if Furlong does exit.
On the recent retained list released by West Brom as a member of the U21s that had been offered a new contract, 21-year-old Ethan Ingram will now hope it’s his time to shine in the senior mix, looking at what Fellows managed to do when thrown into the deep end.
The 6 foot 1 defender has only experienced one loan stint away from the Hawthorns, which did see Ingram blow hot and cold, having found minutes at Salford City hard to come by towards the end of the year deal, after starting life for the Ammies at a breakneck pace.
Excelling as a full-throttle option towards the start of his loan spell, with this strike in October for Salford his first-ever professional goal, Ingram would end up making just 27 appearances in the league as his minutes became more infrequent, with just two matches managed on his end from the final eight League Two contests.
His unbelievable start for the Ammies did see ex-Salford manager Neil Wood describe him as “outstanding”, high praise to be dished out to a youngster cutting his teeth.
Still, this up-and-down time away from the Baggies can go down as a formative experience for the young defender, instead of being a disruptive one for his progression, with Fellows also being tested by a loan further down the EFL with Crawley Town back in 2022.
