Why Chris Mepham hasn't played for West Brom recently - Ryan Mason has confirmed the reason | OneFootball

Baggies boss Ryan Mason has explained why Chris Mepham has been on the bench for the last two games.

West Brom boss Ryan Mason has confirmed defender Chris Mepham has been benched for their last two Championship games because of a niggling injury.

Prior to their midweek visit to Charlton Athletic last week, the Welsh international had played every minute of second-tier action after signing on a permanent deal from Bournemouth, partnering Nat Phillips in the heart of the backline.

But against the Addicks, Mepham was dropped to the bench in one of four changes following Albion’s blank against Sheffield Wednesday. The 28-year-old did replace Krystian Bielik in the dying embers but Charlton’s last-gasp strike deflected off him to spark pandemonium around The Valley.

Despite the disappointment, many would have expected Mepham to come back into the side for a massive game against Oxford United, but Mason opted to start Charlie Taylor alongside Phillips and revert to a back four, leaving supporters scratching their heads whether Mepham had lost his place over the long-term.

Now, Mason has outlined the reason for his decision to bench Mepham over the last two games, offering clarity to Albion supporters over this international break.

As per a report by the Express & Star, West Brom boss Ryan Mason has revealed Chris Mepham hasn’t started the last two Championship games because of a niggling injury, despite the defender still being called up for international duty with Wales.

Mason said: "I'm never one to sit here and make excuses, but there's a couple of players that are nursing a few things that don't allow us to play in three games in a week at the moment.

"Mepps, for example, has been on the bench the last couple of games, but he's not necessarily been able to play. He has something that hasn't allowed him to play in the last couple of games.”

Chris Mepham seems to have not lost West Brom starting spot

Judging from Ryan Mason’s response, it feels like the boss really wanted to start Chris Mepham against Oxford United, particularly when going to a back four, but didn’t want to risk his injury developing into something worse.

It does raise the question as to why he is linking up with Wales over the international break, but it probably means that his issue is nothing to be seriously concerned about.

Mason looks to have been sensible around balancing Mepham’s workload to ensure he doesn’t suffer a long-term problem, with his leadership and Championship experience crucial to Albion being successful this season.

Now, Baggies supporters will be hopeful that Mepham can come through the next fortnight unscathed and be ready for a daunting trip to the CBS Arena to face table-toppers Coventry City.