Following a concerning slump in form, West Bromwich Albion have managed to pick up their performance levels in recent weeks.

The Baggies backed up their 2-1 victory over Coventry City by sealing all three points in their showdown with Reading last weekend.

Despite the fact that a number of the club's players missed this fixture after contracting Covid-19, West Brom still managed to close the gap between them and the automatic promotion places as Callum Robinson scored what turned out to be the winning goal in the 62 minute at The Hawthorns.

With the transfer window set to open next month, Baggies manager Valerien Ismael is understood to be looking into the possibility of bolstering his attacking options by making a move for a striker.

However, it could be argued the Frenchman should also be considering letting some of his fringe players leave in January.

One of the individuals who should be allowed to make a temporary exit from West Brom is right-back Ethan Ingram.

A product of the Baggies' youth academy, Ingram was handed his debut earlier this year as he featured for the club in their League Cup defeat to Arsenal.

Since this particular fixture, the 18-year-old has failed to make any further inroads on the club's starting eleven as he has been used by West Brom at Under-23 level.

Currently behind Darnell Furlong, who has made 21 appearances in the Championship this season, and Taylor Gardner-Hickman in the pecking order, Ingram is unlikely to feature for the Baggies' senior side in the New Year.

Whereas Ingram will continue to play regularly for the Under-23's in the Premier League 2 Division 2 over the course of the coming months if he stays at the club, it could be argued that a move to a team in a lower division could do wonders for his development.

By sending the right-back to a side who are willing to offer him the chance to play week-in, week-out in the second-half of the season, the Baggies may end up benefitting from this decision as Ingram could potentially return to the club as a much more accomplished player.

For West Brom's sake, they will be hoping that they will be preparing for a return to the Premier League when Ingram returns to The Hawthorns.

Currently third in the Championship standings, the Baggies know that they will need to pick up victories on a regular basis in their upcoming fixtures in order to keep pace with promotion rivals Fulham and AFC Bournemouth.