Berahino's back in contention to line up for West Brom

11 September 2015 09:46

Saido Berahino could return for West Brom against Southampton - as Tony Pulis urged the striker to show the Baggies respect.

The England Under-21 international is in contention to face the Saints at The Hawthorns on Saturday after his strike threat.

Berahino tweeted last week suggesting he would not play for the club again after they rejected two deadline day bids from Tottenham.

But boss Pulis confirmed the 22-year-old, who had a transfer request rejected last month, is set to return after missing the last three games during the transfer saga but wants him to change his ways.

"I have no problems at all, he could play on Saturday," said Pulis.

"The respect Saido should have shown the football club and supporters wasn't there. He has to show them more respect.

"My big issue with Saido is he is immature at times in the way he reacts. Something he has done in the two windows since I've been here, his reaction has not been sensible.

"For him to want go to another club, to have the ambition to do that, I wish there were more players in my dressing room who had the ambition and quality to want to do that but the problem with it is the way he has gone about it and the way it has been managed.

"The way it has been managed has been poor.

"But I'm more concerned with getting Sadio getting back playing football."

Pulis, though, admitted he felt sorry for Berahino, who lost his father in the Burundi civil war.

He added: "He is a young lad and we have to understand and recognise that he has missed the greatest mentor he could have had in his life at an early age with his dad passing away. He has not had the guidance and the solid background a lot of us have been fortunate to have."

Berahino could play following Salomon Rondon's international duty with Venezuela after their games with Panama and Honduras in South America but Pulis has no fresh injury concerns following the international break.

Anders Lindegaard and Jonny Evans could make their debuts after joining from Manchester United.

Source: PA