Mikey Johnston Faces Lengthy Injury Setback for West Brom

West Bromwich Albion have been dealt a major early-season setback with winger Mikey Johnston facing an “extended period” on the sidelines after a fresh ankle injury.

The 27-year-old has managed just one appearance this campaign – a Carabao Cup tie against Rotherham United – after being cleared to return from a fractured ankle suffered in a Championship game at Oxford in February.

That fracture healed, and Albion thought the worst was behind them. Through pre-season, the club eased Johnston back, carefully managing his workload. He played 45 minutes against both Notts County and Coventry, added 25 minutes versus Peterborough, then stepped up to 30 minutes of competitive action in the cup against Rotherham.

Then the pain came back.

A scan revealed a further problem in the same ankle, halting his comeback just as he was edging towards full involvement.

“It’s a complex injury,” Albion’s director of medical Tony Strudwick told the club’s website, stressing that he cannot put a “specific timeline” on Johnston’s return.

The club have already sought opinions from two leading ankle specialists in the country, and Johnston is now following a non-surgical treatment plan.

Johnston rejoined Albion from Celtic in August 2024 after a successful four-month loan spell at The Hawthorns and has gone on to make 99 appearances for the club in all competitions.

West Brom must now plan without him again, with no clear date for when their wide threat will be back in a blue-and-white shirt.