As Int’l news emerges today, West Brom now faces another attacking absence…

Brandon Thomas-Asante has been included in the provisional Ghana squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after the West Brom striker naturalised to the nation, according to Owuraku Ampofo.

The 3 Sports GH journalist reported via Twitter on December 20 that the England-born Baggies forward has been followed for some time by the Black Stars technical team and is now in line for a call-up to the international tournament, which kicks off on January 13 and ends on February 11 in the New Year.

The news is a potentially major blow to Carlos Corberan, who is already struggling for attacking options after Josh Maja and Matt Phillips were both ruled out for five months after surgery, and Daryl Dike has yet to return from his own long-term injury.

Ampofo wrote: “Brandon Thomas-Asante, who was born in England, has naturalized for Ghana. The 24-year-old has 7 goals and 2 assists in all competitions this season.

“The Ghana technical team has been following the West Brom striker for a while and he has been included in the provisional list for the AFCON.”

On a personal level, this move could be a very positive one for Thomas-Asante if he now has the chance for a top-level international career.

But the timing of it could hardly be worse from a West Brom point of view amid a major injury crisis in the forward positions at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies strike force has been blighted by incredibly bad luck, with all of Dike, Phillips, and Maja ruled out with multiple long-term issues each in recent months.

Thomas-Asante has been the exception to that, as he has missed just two Championship fixtures so far this term, while West Brom have firmly established themselves in the play-off race.

While his six goals and two assists could perhaps be better, it is still production that Corberan can scarcely afford to be deprived of and would hand the manager a selection headache just in terms of the shape of his side.

If the former Salford City striker does head to AFCON in the next few weeks, then it only heightens the hopes that a takeover might get over the line in the same sort of timeframe to allow the Albion to look at possible additions in January.