West Brom boss wants Saido Berahino back in squad 'not just for Christmas'

Saido Berahino was the subject of a bid this summer, and is expected to be in demand again

WEST BROM boss Tony Pulis claims ‘bad boy’ Saido Berahino asked to play for Albion’s reserves in a bid to regain his first-team place for Christmas.

 

The controversial striker played and scored for the Baggies’ Under-21s against West Ham on Monday after losing his place in Pulis’s first team.

And the West Brom head coach says Berahino regaining his form is vital to the club for the rest of the season.

“We don't want it just for Christmas, we want him back in the fold and as good as he was last year,” said Pulis.

 

"Saido asked to play (in the under-21s). He wanted to have a game. His attitude was first class and he scored a good goal.

“He needed a game to get closer to match fitness and over the Christmas period, with the amount of games coming up, it's good he has got game time.”

West Brom are braced for a further month of speculation over Berahino’s future in January after refusing to sell him to Tottenham for £23m in the summer.

 

But Pulis insists he is not worried about the transfer window yet as he gears up for Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

“We're more concerned with the games leading up to January 1,” he said.

“You can’t do anything at the moment. My mind is totally and utterly focused on what we've got.

“They are tough games, we need to go to Anfield and put a good performance in.”