Steve Bruce responds to Sam Johnstone fury as Man Utd target West Brom transfer

Steve Bruce has backed under-fire goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to bounce back from his blunders against Huddersfield Town.

Johnstone made two errors leading to goals for the Terriers before West Bromwich Albion fought back to seal a point at The Hawthorns on Friday night.

Supporters have been critical of Johnstone, with some calling for understudy David Button to replace the England international against league leaders Fulham tonight.

Part of the frustration boils down to Johnstone’s contract situation. The 28-year-old’s deal expires at the end of the season and Albion have effectively admitted defeat in their bid to keep him.

Manchester United are the latest team being linked with Johnstone, who left Old Trafford to join the Baggies for £6.5million in 2018.

“They’re right to voice their concern,” said head coach Bruce. “The biggest disappointment for me is that he is out of contract. However, it’s football these days, it’s something that has been going around for years.

“We’re probably going to lose our biggest asset on a Bosman (free transfer), which is not great for everybody. The supporters are right (to be concerned), but he’s a very good goalkeeper. He will be disappointed. These things happen, goalkeepers make mistakes, but thankfully he doesn’t make many of them.

“He’s been a very good goalkeeper here for years. Wasn’t he the player of the year last year? That doesn’t change because he makes a mistake or because he’s out of contract.

“He will be disappointed. Everyone makes mistakes, it’s how you react and recover from it and I’m confident Sam will do that.”

Johnstone has 13 clean sheets in 31 appearances for Albion this season, while Button also kept one when he started the 3-0 win over Peterborough United in