James Morrison insists on stance when quizzed about West Brom future

James Morrison has maintained his stance that talks regarding his future as Albion head coach will only take place once the club’s Championship status is confirmed.

The 39-year-old has salvaged the Baggies’ season after the club appeared doomed to relegation to League One just two months ago.

Morrison is believed to be keen on the role and told the Express & Star in recent weeks this latest spell at the helm has given him the bug.

It would be a tough call from chairman Shilen Patel’s Bilkul Football WBA to overlook Morrison for the top job if he leads the Baggies to Championship survival. Morrison, already an Albion legend from his playing days, has united the fanbase - but the owners may feel a permanent appointment will require more thought.

Morrison said: “I’m enjoying it but I’ve said all along I just want to get to the end target.

“Then we can talk about it.

“There is going to be a time for me to answer that, so I will do so in a couple of weeks.”

Morrison has had to contend with the development of an EFL charge of financial breach hanging over Albion for more than a week.

The news of potential sanctions including points deductions - with a hearing to take place imminently - could have rocked the boat at The Hawthorns and at the club’s training base.

But Morrison shut out any talk of what could happen and guided his troops to an excellent 2-0 victory at Preston on Saturday, a crucial result in the bid for survival.

It is a third and longest stint the the former Scotland international has held the position of head coach in a caretaker guise at The Hawthorns.

His two brief previous stints totalled just three games, in which Albion were unbeaten.

The Baggies lost meekly at lowly rivals Oxford in late February in the first game of this current spell, leading to the boss’ public tongue lashing of his players, and a response has been remarkable.

The success at Deepdale extended an unbeaten run to eight matches prior to the clash against Watford on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Albion are still targeting a final-day return to fitness for club captain Jed Wallace.

The 32-year-old injured his calf in training at the end of last month and has been sidelined for the club’s survival run-in after some eye-catching form.

The Baggies hope to have Wallace in contention to feature against relegated basement boys Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday week, May 2.

Wallace’s absence, as well as that of Karlan Grant and Mikey Johnston, has been felt and plotted a re-think in wide areas for Morrison.

The former Millwall man is out of contract at The Hawthorns this summer.