Kid gloves are off in Pardew’s battle to beat drop!
ALAN Pardew has told Albion’s rookies the club’s survival mission comes before their immediate development.
Pardew is closely monitoring the young players who have returned from loan spells away, including Jonathan Leko.
The 18-year-old winger was named on the bench for the FA Cup defeat of Exeter City after his season-long loan to Bristol City was cut short.
In an ideal world, Albion would like to send him back out on loan for the second part of the season.
But their league plight is so desperate, with the Baggies second-bottom and four points from safety, that the boss wants to keep all his options open – even if it means the club’s top young talent miss out on invaluable firstteam experience elsewhere.
“There are situations since I’ve been here when the players on loan are better than those on the bench,” Pardew said.
“We need all hands to the pump here so I will call them all back. We’re making decisions. I’ll probably make them right at the end of the month.
“The ones that can come back will come back and I’ll have a look at them.”
The one UK-based player return is attacker Tyler Roberts.
The Wales Under 21 international, currently sidelined with a hamstring problem, is not due back from Walsall until January 27.
Roberts has been in fine form for the Saddlers, scoring five goals in 15 League One matches.
His goals have grabbed the attention yet to of Premier League rivals Bournemouth, who have scouted the 19-yearold on numerous occasions.
Arsenal, Swansea City, Wolves and Marseille are also understood to hold an interest in Roberts, whose one Albion appearance to date came in the final game of the 2015/16 season.
His contract expires this summer and the Baggies are keen to open talks with the Welshman’s representatives later this month. In addition to exploring all avenues at the club, Pardew plans to wade into the transfer market.
The 56-year-old has enjoyed success in previous winter transfer windows.
He masterminded the January transfers of Papiss Cisse and Moussa Sissoko to Newcastle, in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
Pardew also orchestrated Wilfried Zaha’s much-heralded return to Crystal Palace in February 2015. All three proved to be inspired pieces of business.
“In this month we’ll be looking to hopefully do some business but it takes two to tango,” Pardew said.
“We need other clubs to agree fees and everything else and the release of players if possible.
“It’s a very difficult window but you can have successful Januarys.
“I remember at Newcastle we were struggling and Moussa Sissoko pushed us on.
“Although I haven’t got the finances to do that sort of impact, it will be something I’ll be looking to do. ”
Meanwhile, Albion have entered the race to sign Oumar Niasse, with Everton ready to sell the striker this month. The Merseryside club are prepared to cash in on the Senegal international and have quoted a fee of £13 million to Premier League suitors Albion, Crystal Palace and Brighton. Each of the clubs is willing to meet Everton’s asking price for the former Lokomotiv Moscow man, who has scored six goals this season. Niasse has delivered a number of eye-catching performances this term, despite only starting five matches, making a further nine substitute appearances. Everton have just splashed the cash on Cenk Tosun, parting with £27million to sign the forward from Besiktas and, with manager Sam Allardyce targeting another striker before the transfer window closes, Niasse is set to leave Goodison Park.
He cost Everton £13.5 million from Moscow in February 2016 and spent the second half of last season on loan at Hull City, where he scored five goals in all competitions. The 28-year-old is under contract until 2020.
Baggies boss Alan Pardew is desperate to add goals to his misfiring side, who have managed to find the net just 16 times in 22 league games.
They have managed just four goals in eight winless league games since Pardew took charge in November and he has repeatedly pointed to Albion’s need for attacking reinforcements.