Valerien Ismael's West Bromwich Albion side received a rather emphatic wakeup call in their bid to secure a top-two finish in the Championship last weekend, with the Baggies' 3-0 trouncing by second-placed Fulham highlighting just how difficult it will be for Albion to finish above the Cottagers in the league this season.

As a result of this loss, the 46-year-old West Brom boss will undoubtedly be hoping for a much-improved performance and result when Championship strugglers Hull City visit The Hawthorns on Wednesday evening.

However, with the Tigers having taken points off of league leaders AFC Bournemouth already this season, the Frenchman will be well aware that he has no room for error when selecting his starting XI for the fixture.

One area of the pitch which could be causing Ismael something of a headache is in central midfield, with Alex Mowatt looking to miss out once again due to injury, and Robert Snodgrass failing to replicate his impressive display in the middle of the park against Bristol City at Craven Cottage last time out, registering a lower SofaScore match rating.

As such, it would appear highly advisable for the Baggies boss to unleash Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Jayson Molumby on Wednesday evening, as the 22-year-old has consistently performed when called upon by the Frenchman so far this season.

Indeed, the £900k-rated man was something of a surprise exclusion from West Brom's starting XI at Fulham, as the midfielder had highly impressed while filling in for Mowatt in the Baggies' previous two fixtures.

The first of these came in the 2-0 defeat to Swansea City, a fixture in which Molumby was one of Albion's stand out performers, making one key pass, four tackles, one interception and winning five duels - with these returns seeing the 22-year-old earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.00.

The second came in the subsequent 3-0 win over Bristol City, a game in which the £17k-per-week man completed 40 passes, two dribbles, took two shots at the Robins' goal, made two tackles and won eight duels - with these metrics seeing the midfielder earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.3.

As such, it would appear as if the reintroduction of the Republic of Ireland international who Ismael himself dubbed an "important" player would be a very wise move for the Frenchman to make on Wednesday, as Molumby has already proven himself as something of a game-changer for the Baggies.

In other news: Journo drops fresh West Brom January transfer claim that will devastate Albion fans