Steele facing Wembley woe

Keeper back at the Hawthorns after discussions break down

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 17th March 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Steele facing Wembley woe

Steele: Cup hero

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Luke Steele is facing FA Cup heartache after being forced to return to his parent club West Brom.

The goalkeeper played an instrumental part in Barnsley's remarkable progress to the semi-finals of the competition while on loan at Oakwell, but looks set to miss out on making a Wembley appearance.

Steele would be ineligible to feature in the Baggies' last four encounter with Portsmouth, but had hoped to see his deal with the Tykes extended to allow him to line up against Cardiff.

However, talks between the two clubs have now broken down and Barnsley manager Simon Davey has admitted that he is on the look-out for alternative signings.

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has expressed his disappointment at the situation, but feels that an agreement is unlikely to be reached.

Unfortunate

"Luke will be back here training with us as far as we are aware," he told the Express and Star.

"It is a sad state of affairs but I like Simon Davey so I am not going to get into a war of words with him.

"It is unfortunate for Luke, but there you go."

Albion are believed to have offered to loan Steele back to the Barnsley with the option of agreeing a free transfer with the keeper in the summer.

The Tykes, though, are thought to be unhappy at the Baggies' insistence that they pay the majority of his wages for the rest of the season and would prefer a deal which would see West Brom subsidise the payments.

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