Steve Bruce reveals West Brom stance on free agent transfer deals

Steve Bruce admits that it’s looking unlikely that West Bromwich Albion will venture into the free agent transfer market after all, despite a lack of midfield depth currently available to Steve Bruce.

Jake Livermore’s four match ban, after his red card at Sheffield United in the week, has been upheld despite the club’s appeal and it leaves Bruce with a seriously thin pool of options in the middle of the park in the coming weeks.

After releasing Robert Snodgrass on transfer deadline day, it leaves Albion with just Jayson Molumby and Alex Mowatt as the two club’s recognised, senior midfield options for a string of key fixtures against promotion rivals.

Albion take on Blackburn on Monday, before visiting Luton next weekend and then Middlesbrough the following Tuesday, but Bruce expects to battle on with what he has, so skinny are the free agent options available.

“Not really,” Bruce admitted. “If there was somebody out there who we thought...these days trying to get people in from abroad, with work permits, it’s practically impossible.

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