August 2008 Archives

ALBION were today waiting to find out whether their pursuit of Abdoulaye Meite has been successful.

The Ivory Coast centre-half left Bolton's pre-season tour of Greece and went straight to Albion's training ground yesterday lunchtime to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

He was accompanied by his representatives before being given a tour of the facilities and meeting Albion's coaching staff.

Both Albion and Hull City had bids of around £2million, plus £500,000 add-ons, accepted by Bolton on Thursday night.

And, despite Hull's interest, Hawthorns' officials were last night confident of signing the player, not least as the player has indicated that he favours a move to the Hawthorns.

SCOTT Carson may be bidding to be Albion's first-choice goalkeeper but he will not be wearing the No.1 shirt this season.

The club's record signing has been handed the No.19 top, with Dean Kiely keeping the traditional keeper's jersey.

Elsewhere, new signings Marek Cech and Gianni Zuiverloon will wear Nos. 4 and 22 respectively, with Ishmael Miller and Chris Brunt both being 'upgraded' to 10 and 11.

The full list is: 1 Kiely, 2 Hoefkens, 3 Robinson, 4 Cech, 5 Barnett, 6 Clement, 7 Koren, 8 Greening, 9 Bednar, 10 Miller, 11 Brunt, 12 Beattie, 13 Daniels, 14 Do-Heon, 15 MacDonald, 16 Moore, 17 Dorrans, 18 Pele, 19 Carson, 20 Teixeira, 21 Slusarski, 22 Zuiverloon, 23 Tininho, 24 Martis, 25 Hodgkiss, 26 Danek, 27 Morrison.

ALBION are locked in a head-to-head battle with Hull City for Abdoulaye Meite after both clubs had bids accepted by Bolton.

The long-running saga is finally nearing a conclusion after the Ivory Coast defender was granted permission to talk to both clubs.

The Trotters have been desperate to cash-in on the player for some time and were initially looking for a fee of around £3million.

But they have settled for a lower figure with both Albion and Hull having bids in the region of £2million accepted, rising by an extra £500,000, effectively leaving the matter in the player's hands, although I understand from sources that the Baggies are favourites for his signature.

ALBION will not be opening the newly-refurbished West Stand for tomorrow's friendly against Real Mallorca.

The Halfords Lane Stand has been undergoing a £3million-plus makeover during the summer to improve facilities for fans, players and meda.

The new-look stand was expected to be fully operational for the visit of the Spanish side but those plans have been shelved due to Floors-2-Go going into administration, which has put work behind schedule.

Only the players' and media facilities will be open, with the 970 fans who bought West Stand tickets being relocated.

WEST Bromwich Albion new boy Scott Carson believes the battle of the gloves, and the chance to wear the number one jersey for the big Barclays Premier League kick-off, will go to right to the wire.

The former Liverpool keeper, who joined Albion after a season-long loan at neighbours Aston Villa in a £3.25 million deal, believes he and fellow contender Dean Kiely will have only one more chance to try to win over the manager - at Saturday's pre-season friendly with Real Mallorca at The Hawthorns - before the season's opener at Arsenal.

Albion manager Tony Mowbray is expected to run the rule over the keepers again before making a stance ahead of the match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on August 16.