West Bromwich Albion captain George Campbell will be out for 10 to 12 days with his groin injury, head coach James Morrison has confirmed, in an update that also saw Morrison back the club’s contract talks with the defender.
As The72 reported, Morrison told the club’s official media: “Unfortunately George picked up a groin injury against Southampton and we expect him to be out for between ten to 12 days. It’s not ideal, but it could’ve been worse. Hopefully it’ll just be one game that he misses.”
Campbell felt his groin in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton at The Hawthorns and was replaced by Nat Phillips at half time.
The injury has already cost him his place in the United States squad for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti, with his withdrawal confirmed on Thursday and Mark McKenzie called up in his place.
One Game, Then the Break
The one game is Millwall’s visit to The Hawthorns on Saturday, West Brom’s last fixture before the international break. The72 reported that Campbell’s return target is the first match back, against Swansea City.
Until then, Morrison is down to two fit senior centre-backs. Phillips will start alongside Chris Mepham, who has captained the side in Campbell’s absence this season and is expected to take the armband again.
The size of the loss is in the numbers. Campbell has started 12 of West Brom’s 14 Championship matches this season, and both of their EFL Cup ties.
Albion took just one point from the two league games he did not start. Their 13 goals conceded are the joint fewest in the division.
Contract Talks Confirmed by Morrison
The update was not only medical. The72 reported on November 3, via the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath, that West Brom have opened talks over an improved contract for Campbell, even though his current deal runs to 2029.
On Friday, Morrison confirmed the talks himself. “I understand there’s been talks over a contract which is pleasing. I think he deserved it,” he told BBC Radio WM.
“I want George to keep concentrating on his football. I think he’s got a few years left on his contract as well, so it’s credit for the club to recognise his performances and reward him for his good play. He’s in a good spot.”
Campbell signed a four-year deal when he joined from CF Montreal in July 2025, for a fee reported at around 1.5 million pounds. He played 41 times in his first season and was made captain in August.
The72 noted reported interest from Celtic earlier this year. An improved deal would reward Campbell’s rise and strengthen the club’s hand if that interest returns.
What It Means for the United States
The injury costs Campbell this camp, but the contract news may matter more to his international future than the 10 to 12 days.
Campbell has three caps and is still fighting to become a regular under Mauricio Pochettino. His rivals for the centre-back places play in the Premier League, in Ligue 1 and in the Scottish Premiership.
A new deal at West Brom is a statement about his trajectory. The club are rewarding their captain and defensive leader in the middle of a promotion push, and a Premier League season as a starter would transform his case for the United States.
It also answers the alternative storyline. Reported Celtic interest offered a different route, in Scotland and in European competition. A new West Brom deal points the other way: the promotion path, with his future settled well before the next international windows.
What Happens Next
First, Millwall. West Brom are unbeaten in five league matches and sit in the play-off places, and Saturday tests whether the division’s joint-tightest defence holds without its captain and organiser.
If Morrison’s timeline holds, Campbell returns against Swansea City with the Haiti quarterfinals behind him and his club future being actively secured.
The timeline also settles the United States picture. Even a best-case return lands in the middle of the Haiti window, so the withdrawal was unavoidable once the injury was scanned.
Mark McKenzie gets the quarterfinal minutes instead. Campbell’s route back for his country runs through exactly what Morrison described on Friday: fitness, form, and a settled club future.
For a player who arrived from MLS 16 months ago, that is quite a position to be in.
