James Morrison backs Conor Townsend to raise West Brom standards with ‘training demand’ | OneFootball

James Morrison expects returning defender Conor Townsend to push Callum Styles and lift West Brom’s training levels. According to ExpressAndStar.com, the head coach sees the 33-year-old as the right character to intensify competition.

Townsend became Albion’s fifth summer signing late last week, rejoining after two years at Ipswich. He made more than 200 appearances in a first six-year spell, but an ACL problem limited opportunities and he had no Championship minutes last season.

Morrison said Townsend has been back on the grass since March and will add experience, drive standards and mentor younger team-mates. He stressed he wants hungry players and training set at a demanding level to keep performance high.

Styles missed just one Championship game last season and claimed two club player-of-the-season awards. Townsend effectively takes the role filled by last season’s loanee Charlie Taylor.

Albion beat League Two Shrewsbury 4-1 on Saturday, with new forward Jimmy-Jay Morgan scoring twice and having a hand in the other two.

Morrison wants his side to push themselves in pre-season and be physically ready for a difficult start, noting some fatigue after a hard training week.

He was also encouraged by aspects of a late 3-1 training-ground defeat to Notts County, highlighting young players driving each other on.

Townsend’s last competitive appearance came in April 2025 and his final Albion outing was the play-off semi-final loss at Southampton in May 2024. He could feature in Saturday’s final warm-up at Peterborough’s London Road.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com