Super Eagles star Semi Ajayi will hope for more chance under ex-Man Utd defender

The Nigerian international has not enjoyed enough playing time, but he will be hoping for a change in the second half of the campaign 

Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi will hope his fortunes improve after West Brom confirmed the appointment of former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce as their new manager.

Bruce was confirmed as the Baggies new manager on Thursday after he signed an 18-month contract to replace Valerian Ismael, who was sacked on Wednesday following a poor run of one win in seven league games.

With Ismael gone, Ajayi will hope to get more game time under Bruce. The 28-year-old initially started well under the French man, playing 90 minutes in 11 of the first 15 games and another three as a substitute.

However, the story was different for Ajayi in Ismael’s last two months at the club. The former Rotherham United defender played just four minutes in the French man’s last 14 games in charge, although he missed three of the games due to his involvement with Nigeria at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

But Bruce’s arrival could see Ajayi restored to the Baggies lineup. The former Newcastle man has been brought in to revive West Brom’s fading promotion hopes, and he is expected to make a few changes, especially in the defence, which has conceded seven goals in West Brom’s last six league games.

Bruce’s first game in charge is a trip to Sheffield Wednesday on, February 9, and that could see Ajayi start his first game for West Brom in three months.