'He's getting there' – West Brom coach gives positive update on last season's top scorer Maja

West Bromwich Albion manager Ryan Mason has suggested that Josh Maja could make his first league start of the season when the Baggies face Middlesbrough on Friday night.

The Super Eagles striker capped off an impressive campaign by claiming West Brom’s top goalscorer award for the 2024–25 season, having netted 12 times in 26 appearances. 

He also earned further recognition by winning the club's Goal of the Season accolade.

After several months on the sidelines, Maja has been working his way back to full fitness since the start of the new season and has so far been limited to appearances off the bench.

The forward has been second choice behind summer signing Aune Heggebo, who joined from Norwegian side Brann in the summer window.

While the 24-year-old has featured regularly, he is yet to open his goal account in the Championship, prompting calls from fans for Maja to be handed more game time as Albion look to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Derby County.

Speaking ahead of the trip to the Riverside Stadium, Mason confirmed that Maja is close to full sharpness and may be trusted from the start.

"Yeah, I think he's fit enough. It's my decision now, " he was quoted as saying by Express & Star. 

"He's getting there. He's getting closer, for sure. Training's been good, he's progressing really well. We're happy with where he's at.

"We've got over 40-odd league games still to go currently and I'm sure Josh Maja's going to play a massive part in those games."

The West Brom boss hailed Maja's qualities and stressed the importance of having him firing on all cylinders for the campaign ahead.

"He's a member of a squad that we value highly and we need him. We need him to perform at his level to help us.

"That's been the challenge for the last period, to try to get him up to that level where he's in a good place where he can do that.

"First of all, he can score goals at this level. We see that last season, he's an intelligent player. I think different games will probably suit him more."

Maja, who joined Albion on a free transfer from Bordeaux in 2023, will be hoping to reclaim his place as a key attacking option for the club.

Adeyemi Adewale

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