Jason Davidson appears to be trapped in limbo between club and country, with the fullback struggling for game time at West Bromwich Albion but now set to miss out on a Premier League appearance after international duty.
The 23-year-old earned a move from Eredivisie side Heracles to the Hawthorns Stadium after starting for Australia at the World Cup, but has been unable to force his way into the first-team on a regular basis in the West Midlands.His chance might finally have arrived this weekend with regular left-back Sebastien Pocognoli in doubt for trip to face Chelsea on Saturday.
But the fact that Davidson has been with the Socceroos in Japan could count against him, despite not playing in Osaka.
“Jason Davidson is certainly a consideration – the only thing I’d say is that he’s just got back from Japan with Australia so that’s a bit of a blow," West Brom manager Alan Irvine was quoted as saying by the Birmingham Mail .
"Had he been here I’d have expected him to have a very strong claim to play but I’ve had to look at other possible options if Seb isn’t fit and if Jason isn’t right after travelling as far as he has.”
Davidson announced during his time in the national team camp he was seeking a loan move to give himself a chance of featuring at the Asian Cup in January.
Irvine though isn't certain allowing the player to leave, even temporarily, will be in West Brom's interest.
“It’s not something that we are trying to generate but obviously if another club was to come onto us and ask about Jason - as in any other player - we’ll consider whether it is right for the club and right for Jason," he said.
“I can understand why he is saying that because obviously Sebastien has played very well and it has been difficult for Jason to get in.
“He probably would look at that and feel that it affected his chance of playing for Australia. I know they have the Asia Cup coming up in Australia soon, so he’ll be desperate to get playing time.
“But that doesn’t mean that it is necessarily the right thing for him to go out on loan.”