Steve Bruce claimed his decision not to extend Andy Carroll’s contract was due in part to wanting to give Kenneth Zohore another opportunity, much to the bemusement of supporters and journalists.

However, this isn’t the first time Bruce has mentioned the 28-year-old, having publicly given Zohore a clean slate upon his arrival as manager in February. But is Bruce being foolish backing the out-of-form and out-of-favour centre-forward?

Zohore joined West Bromwich Albion on a four-year deal from Cardiff City in 2019 and has gone on to make just 23 appearances in all competitions, scoring five goals with one assist.

The uncapped Dane was a regular in his debut season until he picked up a calf injury and suffered repeat recurrences later in the campaign (October 2019), (November – December 2019) (February – March 2020) (July – October 2020), resulting in him featuring in only eight of West Brom’s last 35 league outings.

Zohore’s remained injured going into his second season at the Hawthorns and was loaned out to Millwall (October 2020 – May 2021) once he’d recovered, scoring just three goals in 19 games. But after three games at his new club, he suffered another setback and spent two months out (November – December 2020).

And in Zohore’s third season at West Brom, he’s made just three appearances across the board, last featuring in August 2021. He picked up a muscle injury in November and hasn’t been in a position to return since. So why does Bruce think Zohore will be able to lead the line next season?

Carroll impressed in his short-term stint at the Hawthorns, so fans won’t appreciate the reasoning behind letting him go.

In other news, Steve Madeley says Steve Bruce didn’t want to sign Jayson Molumby