LIVERMORE READY TO RETURN AFTER FAN’S SICK TAUNT

JAKE LIVERMORE is mentally ready to play for West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup. A West Ham fan abused Livermore on Tuesday over the death of his baby son, prompting the midfielder to get into the crowd at the London Stadium to remonstrate. But manager Alan Pardew said Livermore will be in the squad to travel to Exeter for tomorrow’s third-round tie. ‘Anyone who’s been through the trauma of losing a child would know the impact is massive,’ said the West Brom boss. ‘But he’s OK. I’ll take him to Exeter with no concern about his playing ability. ‘He’s fit and well. He was hurt by the situation as you’d imagine, but the media have been very supportive of him.’ Livermore, 28, went over the hoardings behind West Brom’s dugout to confront a supporter who is alleged to have made comments about Jake Jnr, who died in 2014. West Ham have identified the individual and are considering a lifetime ban as punishment. The FA took the England international’s personal trauma into account after he tested positive for cocaine in 2015 and waived a two-year ban. Pardew does not expect any action from the governing body over Livermore this time, either. ‘I don’t think there will be a charge,’ said Pardew, who believes greater protection is needed around dugouts. ‘Some things are orchestrated and some come from rage — this situation came from rage from the supporter and that’s worrying,’ he said. ‘The stewarding and policing of games is very good, but particularly around the bench there needs to be more protection. ‘I have two young daughters and when they were at school, some of the abuse on social media is disgusting. It’s an area that society has to look at.’