Boss: No discussion over recall for Barnes
ALBION boss Darren Moore played down talk of an early loan recall for Harvey Barnes, insisting there had been no contact from his parent club Leicester.
Premier League Leicester have the option to recall the nine-goal midfielder this month as part of the loan deal agreed last summer.
Reports suggested Foxes boss Claude Puel had opened the door for an early reunion with Barnes, who nearly inspired yet another Albion comeback at Blackburn on New Year’s Day.
But Moore says there has been no dialogue between the clubs.
“No, because we’ve been outside the window,” the Baggies boss (pictured) said. “We knew Harvey was here now. The window’s back open.
“We’ll talk to Leicester about Harvey and once we know the decision we’ll notify you guys.
“Harvey’s been an excellent player for West Brom, he’s shown the qualities why we brought him to the club.
“We’ve improved him as a player.
“He was a constant threat for us here and he showed his skill and temperament. He has a goal prowess about him.
“Long may that continue for the second half of the season, but we’ll speak to Leicester during the month.”
Barnes earned the penalty Jay Rodriguez dispatched to get Albion back in it at Ewood Park but there was no late comeback this time as they lost 2-1.
Albion’s cause wasn’t helped by the 87th-minute dismissal of Jake Livermore, his second red card of the season. He was ordered off for dragging Lewis Travis to the ground after the Blackburn man had entered into a full-blooded challenge with Chris Brunt.
Livermore will face a four-match ban, with three games for his Ewood Park red plus one more for his second sending-off of the season.
Livermore will now have to sit out Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie against Wigan as well as the vital six-pointer against Norwich at The Hawthorns on January 12 and games at Bolton and QPR.