West Brom squad had clear-the-air talks with Saido Berahino
Saturday 19 September 2015 11:08, UK
Tony Pulis is keen to get Saido Berahino back to top form after revealing clear-the-air talks with the rest of the West Brom squad had taken place.
The Baggies boss said Berahino's team-mates took the chance to air their views following his threat to go on strike, and that the saga has since been put to bed.
Berahino made the threat after West Brom rejected two transfer deadline day bids from Tottenham, claiming he would never play for the club again under the stewardship of chairman Jeremy Peace, but he returned to action in the 0-0 draw with Southampton when coming off the bench.
The 22-year-old, who also had a transfer request rejected in August, could even start in the Midlands derby at Aston Villa on Saturday.
Pulis said: "There was a meeting with Saido. I think the players have had full rein, it's not like I've stopped them talking to Saido or pulled him to one side and put him in the corner.
"It wasn't a meeting just about Saido, it was a meeting where Saido was in with the players where things got mentioned.
"It's not a case of backing him, they know he's a good player. We've had a meeting and it's exactly the same as I've said before. Young people make mistakes. He is very young and very impressionable and I'm sure if he could have done it again he would have done it differently.
"The important thing is to get the kid back to what he was before the window opened."
Villa boss Tim Sherwood expects Berahino to start and wants to keep up the pressure on the England U21 striker.
He said: "I'm pretty convinced Saido Berahino will play. I'm not sure how high up the pitch Berahino will play but I do see him starting.
"If he's got any doubters there, any critics in the West Brom ranks, it might be a good opportunity to dispel them. We're just hoping to increase the pressure on him."
Berahino is likely to face Joleon Lescott, with the defender joining Villa from Albion on deadline day after just one year at the Hawthorns, and Pulis insisted there were no issues between the pair despite his exit.
Pulis said: "All I can say is that he was wonderful here, I enjoyed working with him and I wish him all the best.
"There are players who have left the club who you'd love to keep and others when you don't think it's too bad. Time will tell."
