Nigeria striker Josh Maja lined up for first West Brom start of the season

West Bromwich Albion manager Ryan Mason has hinted that Nigeria striker Josh Maja could make his first start for the EFL Championships side when they take on Middlesbrough F.C. at Riverside Stadium on Friday.

Out of the opening five matches, the Super Eagles forward is yet to make a start despite signing off with a top goalscorer award for the 2024–25 season, having netted 12 times in 26 appearances.

“He’s getting there,” Mason said as quoted by Express & Star. “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.”

Maja is fit and ready to play

Asked if Maja is physically ready to start, Mason replied: “Yeah, I think he’s fit enough. It’s my decision now. Also understanding, like I’ve said all along, he had a very, very long time out injured and it’s about picking the right time for him to get in and stay in because it’s a long season, there’s so many games.

“They come around so thick and fast and every training day at the moment he’s progressing, he’s getting stronger, he’s getting quicker. So that’s good news for us. 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.”

He continued: “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.”

Maja made his international debut for Nigeria on September 10, in a 2-2 friendly draw against Ukraine, after replacing Victor Osimhen in added time.