MAGICAL MAJA HITS HOOPS WITH A TREBLE

CARLOS Corberan insisted Josh Maja’s brilliant start to the season was only possible because the striker worked on his fitness during the summer.

- Dan Masters

Maja, who endured an injury-hit first season at Albion, scored a hat-trick as the Baggies began the new campaign with a victory at QPR.

He started just one game and managed one goal last term, but the future looks brighter for Maja based on his outstanding display of finishing at Loftus Road.

Lucas Andersen gave Rangers a 16th-minute lead, but Maja equalised 10 minutes later and struck twice more in the second half.

“The last year was unfortunately a very complicated year for him,” Corberan said.

“He suffered a very unfair situation in the last year but came back this summer with the mentality to recover this year and to make his best.

“He has been working very hard in pre-season and that’s why today he was able to impact the game.