Ajayi Excited With Championship Return

Football in England makes a long-awaited return three months after the dreaded coronavirus forced an unavoidable break, to the delight of the Nigerian defender

West Bromwich Albion centre-back Semi Ajayi has revealed his excitement at getting back on the pitch and helping his club gain promotion with the Championship set to restart this weekend.

Ajayi has been a rock in defence for the Baggies with the Super Eagles defender playing 35 matches and scoring five times to help Albion sit second in the table, one point behind leaders Leeds United and six ahead of Fulham in third.

Slaven Bilić’s side has recorded 19 victories of their 37 Championship games and can secure automatic promotion to the Premier League by winning seven of their last nine matches.

Local rivals Birmingham City are the next hurdle at The Hawthorns for West Brom, and Semi has revealed the desire to achieve the target the squad set themselves back in August.

“We’re all extremely excited for the game against Blues on Saturday,” the former Arsenal star told the club’s website.

“It’s probably the longest I’ve ever gone without playing a competitive game. The summer break isn’t even this long.

“I’m looking forward to it massively.” It helps that it’s a derby as well, our first game back. It’s a huge game and great opportunity for us to get our season back on track. We can’t wait.

“It means everything to get the opportunity to finish off the season.

“We’ve put in so much this season as a group and into being where we are in the table. The opportunity to finish the season and complete the job is massive for us all.

“Everyone is raring to go and eager to make the most of this opportunity.

“The focus is very much the same. If anything, the break from football for so long and having it taken away from us has made us all hungrier to succeed. It definitely has for me.

“We’ll be taking each game one at a time and going into each game, giving our all.”