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James Morrison hints at new position for West Brom star winger The Baggies boss has dropped a hint at how he sees one of his star attackers after an injury return. Albion boss James Morrison revealed star winger Mikey Johnston could play a more central role this season. Johnston, 27, is on his way back from a long-term injury absence after a broken ankle at Oxford in February ended his season. The winger stepped up his progress with a cameo in Saturday’s friendly success at Peterborough, where he created Albion’s second for Barney Stewart within minutes of his introduction. Johnston’s pass for the goal came from a central area after Morrison introduced him as the second striker in his side’s front two - and suggested it could be a plan to stay for the long term. “Mikey's going to need a little bit of time, I can see that,” Morrison said of Johnston’s recovery. “I know what it's like coming back from a long injury and he needs to be patient and not get frustrated because I can see him getting a little bit frustrated sometimes. “But the more training and the more games he gets, he'll be ready and he'll come through that. “I tried him in a slightly different role today on the top line and I think he can be effective there.” Johnston is unlikely to be selected as a starter in Albion’s opening cup and league fixtures away to Rotherham and Norwich in the EFL Cup and Championship. The former Celtic winger was among the leading assister in the second tier last season as he laid on goals from spells on both flanks prior to the nasty injury in Oxford, in Morrison’s first game as caretaker boss. The head coach added he plans to speak with Johnston about the benefits of the role. Albion have been typically 4-4-2 under Morrison, though for much of the time he has used inverted, more narrow wingers. “We've just got to be patient with him and build him up in the right way,” Morrison added. “It'll be a chance for us to work together and I'll speak to him and tell him the plan because I want to get him right on the pitch and he can sustain the games and the training.”