This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets… 

West Bromwich Albion extended their reign at the top of the Championship table with a third successive victory, but it was by no means an easy game.

The Baggies defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon after substitute Charlie Austin tucked home an 88th-minute penalty to hand the league leaders all three points.

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Hal Robson-Kanu had opened the scoring after Matheus Pereira’s pass cut through the Owls’ defence like a hot knife through butter – it really was that exquisite.

But in the second half, striker Steven Fletcher levelled things with a spot-kick of his own before the 30-year-old was called upon to net just his second of the season.

Albion boss Slaven Bilic was enforced into two changes as Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers both faced suspension. He opted for Filip Krovinovic and Semi Ajayi at the base of midfield with Ahmed Hegazi returning for the first time since injury.

However, the 28-year-old looked particularly off the mark, which in some ways is no surprise given his lack of competitive action this campaign, although he’s been trusted to play for his national team, Egypt, during that time.

Per SofaScore, Hegazi managed to win just 40% of his duels, both aerially and on the ground. He was also dribbled past once, made an error that luckily only led to a shot and lost possession four times.

Having played 40 times last season, the centre-back was somewhat sluggish, and it seems as if that pre-season surgery has knocked his chances of making a mark under the Croatian back a little.

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With the influential midfield duo set to return in midweek, Ajayi will inevitably be pushed back into defence as they had looked like they were turning a corner with back-to-back clean sheets before the international break.

This was Hegazi’s opportunity to stake a claim as a first-choice centre-back, but now he may well have to wait until the next chance, which may not fall anytime soon.

He is certainly in need of some more minutes, whether that be in the U23 squad or not remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, is Hegazi the player brandished as a ‘liability’ following WBA’s victory over Sheffield Wednesday?