The Baggies have plans already in place for Cedric Kipre’s expected exit.

West Bromwich Albion may look back at their 2023/24 season and ponder what might have been as they faltered in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals against Southampton, ultimately losing 3-1 and crashing out of contention.

If they’d managed to get to Wembley, who knows what the final outcome could have been for their season, with Carlos Corberan potentially getting one over on his former employers in Leeds United in a theoretical final.

Instead, they’re now preparing for another 46-game slog in the second tier, with the likes of Cedric Kipre potentially leaving for free very soon, with his contract up at the end of June.

Without a doubt, the Baggies have prepared arrangements for Kipre’s anticipated departure from the Hawthorns, with a young player possibly benefiting from the big center-back’s departure.

Young Kipre’s replacement at West Brom Zac Ashworth, who can play center defense and left midfield in addition to left back, may believe that more first-team opportunities are due before the upcoming season, even with Kipre gone.

Since joining his boyhood club back in 2012, the adaptable 21-year-old has made 58 appearances for the U18s and U23s, earning him six senior outings to date as a result.

Ashworth’s versatility will undoubtedly make him a valuable asset for Corberan to give more opportunities to next season.

With Adam Reach out of the picture, the Baggies will also require additional center-back options and reinforcements down the left flank.

Bolton Wanderers must have been huge supporters of Ashworth to take a chance on loaning him out the previous season, which the 21-year-old handled well, in order to further justify giving him more opportunities the next year.

Bolton’s Zac Ashworth numbers Unusually for a team that mostly plays on the left, Ashworth’s departure from the building may allow him to move into the center of defense, where he may feel more at ease given the amount of games he has played there for the Baggies in his youth. Along with Ashworth, Caleb Taylor was also on loan at the Trotters.

Taylor will be hoping to make an impression on the first squad and provide Corberan further depth at the back. Taylor made seven appearances for Evatt’s team before heading back to the comforts of home at the Hawthorns.

After briefly shining for Bolton, Ashworth won’t want to return to West Brom and hide in the youth teams. If Kipre does leave for nothing, Ashworth could try to lessen the immense blow by taking the bull by the horns and making a quick transition into the first team.