West Bromich Albion

Swansea confirm Hartson meeting
Swansea City have revealed that manager Roberto Martinez has met John Hartson to discuss a possible move. But the League One side said the meeting was arranged at the request of the striker's representatives, and that a deal to sign Hartson is not imminent. Hartson, 32, is looking for a new club after being told he is surplus to requirements at West Brom. Reports on Wednesday claimed he will be joining Swansea this week, but the club have described them as being "untrue". In an unusual move, the club published a statement on their website in response to the newspaper reports, which they say are "full of inaccuracies". "The statement that Hartson will join the club within 24 hours is untrue," said the club's statement. "The statement that Hartson will be paid £12,000 a week is untrue and an irresponsible piece of journalism. "The statement that Hartson has met with chairman Huw Jenkins and Martin Morgan is untrue, although the club can confirm that Hartson has had a private conversation with manager Roberto Martinez at the request of the player's representatives." Swansea-born Hartson, who has won 51 caps for Wales, has not played a first-team match since February. His contract with West Brom ends at the end of the season. Swansea had been looking to boost their striking options following the loss of Lee Trundle to Bristol City, but that void seems to have been filled by Warren Feeney, who has joined on a season-long loan from Cardiff City.

Koren pens new West Brom contract
West Brom midfielder Robert Koren has signed a new two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. The 26-year-old Slovenian, arrived on a free transfer from Lillestrom in January, although he has yet to play this season due to an eye injury. "I'm really pleased to have signed my new contract. I'm very happy here," Koren said. "The staff, players and everybody at the club have made me feel very welcome since I joined in January."

Mowbray's injury list grows again
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray has lost another player to the treatment table after James Morrison was stretchered off against Coventry. Morrison has suspected knee ligament damage and could be out for between four and six weeks. He joins Kevin Phillips and Martin Albrechtsen on the list of Baggies players injured in the last week. But Tony Mowbray now believes Phillips could be back playing for Albion in as little as four weeks.

Scan confirms Morrison's injury
West Bromwich Albion midfielder James Morrison's knee injury has been confirmed as medial ligament damage after he had a scan on Tuesday. Morrison, who was stretchered off in Monday's 4-0 win at Coventry, will be out between four and six weeks. Meanwhile, defender Martin Albrechtsen had an operation on Tuesday after he suffered medial ligament and cartilage damage last week. He is also set to be sidelined for four to six weeks. However, boss Tony Mowbray now believes striker Kevin Phillips could be back playing for Albion in as little as four weeks.

Morrison looks to return stronger
West Brom midfielder James Morrison has promised to return stronger from the knee injury he picked up during last Monday's game at Coventry. Morrison feared his season was over until a scan showed there was no damage to his cruciate ligaments. He told the club website: "I was really devastated because it could have been cruciate." "Hopefully I'll be back in four to six weeks. I've got to get over it and just come back stronger."

Hartson rejects Chester approach
West Bromwich Albion striker John Hartson has rejected an approach from League Two club Chester. City made an audacious attempt to sign the former Wales international, 32, on loan with a view to the move being made permanent in January. But Chester chief executive Bob Gray told the Wrexham and Flintshire Evening Leader: "The player won't drop down to play in League Two. "John Hartson feels that he needs to play at a higher level."

New blow for Baggies star Miller
West Bromwich Albion striker Ishmael Miller is facing four to six weeks out after he was injured in Sunday's 0-0 Black Country derby draw with Wolves. Miller, 20, on a season-long loan from Manchester City, was forced off after 82 minutes with a knee problem. "The initial signs from the medical department are that it's lateral knee ligament damage," Baggies manager Tony Mowbray told the club website. However, fellow striker Kevin Phillips has returned to light training. Phillips has also been suffering with a knee problem since early November.

Korean Do-heon on trial at Albion
South Korean international midfielder Kim Do-heon is spending a few days on trial at West Bromwich Albion. Baggies manager Tony Mowbray has decided to have a look at the player, who appeared in five of his country's 2006 World Cup qualifiers. The 25-year-old has 42 caps for South Korea and has scored 8 times. The central-midfielder recently helped Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma finish as K-League runners-up with five goals in 13 starts.

Man jailed for footballer attack
A man who stabbed a footballer who was going out with his ex-girlfriend has been jailed for five and a half years. Manchester Crown Court heard Robert Rimmer, 21, knifed West Bromwich Albion's Ronnie Wallwork in a bar in Manchester in November 2006. The 30-year-old former Manchester United player suffered cuts to his stomach, back and hand in the attack. He now plays for Huddersfield Town. Rimmer, of Gorton, Manchester, admitted wounding with intent. The court heard Mr Wallwork had incensed Rimmer when he walked into the Sugar Lounge bar with his girlfriend Amy Broadbent and refused Rimmer's request to leave. Fish knife Mr Justice Saunders told him: "You stabbed him on a number of occasions to the back and the abdomen - the most serious to the abdomen which would easily have proved fatal." Mr Justice Saunders said the stabbing had caused Mr Wallwork, who was then playing for Barnsley, to suffer psychologically and had affected his football career. He told Rimmer that the feelings of resentment he had for Mr Wallwork "cannot in any way justify what you did". "What concerns me is the build up of anger which must have taken place in you over a period of time, until it erupted into this display of extreme violence using a knife," Mr Justice Saunders added. Rimmer, of Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton, used a fish knife attached to his key ring in the attack last November, but it has never been recovered. Rimmer's friend Charles Ebbrell, 27, of Hopkinson Avenue, Denton, Manchester, punched Mr Wallwork during the attack on him. Ebbrell admitted affray and was given a four month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £578 costs.

Baggies seal MacDonald transfer
West Bromwich Albion have signed Dutch winger Sherjill MacDonald on a permanent deal from AGOVV Apeldoorn. The 23-year-old, who has signed a two-and-a-half year contract, has spent a year on loan at Albion, who have now agreed to pay £200,000 for him. "Sherjill has got talent and potential. We need to work with that and make him a big asset," boss Tony Mowbray said. "When you've got someone with the ability Sherjill has to beat an individual, you shouldn't discard him."

Phillips is handed December award
West Brom striker Kevin Phillips has been named as the Championship's player of the month for December. The 34-year-old returned from a knee injury to score five times in four games, including braces against Bristol City and Scunthorpe. Phillips now has 15 goals from 17 league appearances this season. Bristol City defender Bradley Orr, Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison and Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller were also shortlisted for the award.

Owls recruit Baggies man Wallwork
Sheffield Wednesday have signed West Bromwich Albion midfielder Ronnie Wallwork on a free transfer. The 30-year-old has signed a deal until the end of the season, on the same day that fellow midfielder Yoann Folly has joined Plymouth. "Ronnie is a great signing for us. He's experienced and he'll be a talker, which is what we've been missing," boss Brian Laws told SSB. "His stats are very good and in 2005 he was West Brom's player of the year." Wallwork made 107 appearances since joining the Baggies from Manchester United in 2002. He had a three-month loan spell at Huddersfield earlier this season, and the Terriers had been keen to sign him permanently.

Hartson brings career to an end
Former Celtic and Arsenal striker John Hartson has announced his retirement after leaving West Brom last month. The 32-year-old, who won 51 caps for Wales, revealed he had lost his desire and was struggling to keep fit. He told the Scottish Sun: "I'm going to miss that competitive edge. That was my weekend, letting off steam and terrorising centre-halves. "But I'm not going to miss training though. To be honest I'd lost my desire to get back into the West Brom side." The striker who began his career at Luton and played at Arsenal, West Ham, Wimbledon, Coventry, Celtic and Norwich, said he was not prepared to end his playing career at a low level. "They say you should go down the leagues and just play for enjoyment because it will be easier. It is not," Hartson added. "I have been fighting my weight for 12 years. I can't have a burger without putting on half a stone." West Brom released Hartson in January - six months before his contract was due to run out. Hartson joined the Baggies in June 2006 but, despite scoring twice on his debut, he struggled with fitness and form. He scored six goals in 24 appearances for Albion. His retirement comes two years and one day since he ended his international career with Wales which saw him score 14 goals in 51 appearances. Wales assistant coach and former team-mate Dean Saunders paid tribute to Hartson. "John has been a good player for Wales over the years," said Saunders. "He's scored a lot of goals at club level and considering he had a lot of injuries during his career, it's always sad to hear someone retiring. "He's a good friend of mine. I hope the next thing he does is something positive and stays in football. "It's an end of an era for John, but I'm sure he'll be remembered well by all of the fans."

Albion form not worrying Mowbray
West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Mowbray is refusing to panic despite seeing his side slip out of the automatic promotion places in the Championship. Albion have taken just five points from the last possible 15 and are fourth. "There's no need to be concerned. We are a decent side and there's a long way to go," Mowbray told SSB. "I didn't get too excited when we were top of the table so I'm not getting too upset when we're outside the top two. There are a lot of points to play for." The Baggies' current stumble in form has rekindled memories of what happened to them last season when they blew their lead at the top of the Championship and finished in the play-offs. Their promotion bid failed at the last hurdle with defeat in the final to Derby at Wembley, but Mowbray is urging the supporters not to get too negative. "The fans have been fantastic all season and we have to stick together. "We were top with ten games to go last season and missed out but if we can find some consistent form in the run-in, we'll be fine."

West Brom sign Moore on loan deal
West Brom have signed Aston Villa striker Luke Moore on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent switch in the summer. The 22-year-old will cost the Baggies an initial £3m, a fee that could eventually rise to £3.5m. "Luke brings quality and hunger," said Baggies boss Tony Mowbray. "He'll bring more balance to the striking options." His loan period covers the Championship play-offs, though Villa have a 24-hour recall after the first 28 days. Moore, who had previously been linked with Rangers after the Glasgow club enquired about his availability in January, signed after passing a medical and could make his debut against Hull on Saturday. Moore is product of the Villa Academy and made his first-team debut against Middlesbrough in 2005. He scored twice in the first eight games of last season before being struck down by a shoulder injury which required surgery in America and ruled him out of action until the last half-dozen games of the season. He scores goals and his scoring record is good in the Premier League. "As a young player, hopefully he's one for the future as well as one for today," added Mowbray. "I just want to put him in an environment where he can flourish. He understands where we are and the quality of footballers we've got in the position he plays. "He's happy enough to come on board and compete for a place in the team."

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