Former West Brom defender Ahmed Hegazi has sent a five-word message of support to Matt Phillips after the injury blow he received this week.
The versatile winger damaged a tendon in his hamstring in the 2-1 defeat against Leicester City (2-1) and the 32-year-old is set to miss around four months of action.
Posting on Instagram about the injury, Phillips wrote (8 December): “‘The comeback is far greater than the setback’.
“Thank you for your messages of support ! I will be cheering the boys on with everything until I can get back out there with them.”
Replying to the post, Hegazi – a former teammate of Phillips’ at The Hawthorns – wrote: “You will come back stronger.”
There is no getting around the fact that losing Phillips is a huge blow to West Brom, manager Carlos Corberan, and the club’s chances of achieving at least a play-off spot in the Championship this season.
Phillips may now be 32 but he is still an excellent performer and has been hugely consistent for the Baggies this term, playing predominantly as a wing-back under Corberan.
At his age, any hamstring injury is hugely damaging but Phillips is a consummate professional and there is no doubt he will be chomping at the bit to get back into first-team action as soon as possible.
In the meantime, it is hugely warming to see the reaction of so many of Phillips’ teammates past and present to his Instagram post, and it really was a nice touch from Hegazi to reach out.
We all wish him a speedy recovery and hope he can play a big part in a West Brom promotion push.
