Di Matteo looks to freshen up squad

Last updated : 31 January 2010 By Team Talk

roberto di matteo - baggies boss
The teenage Crystal Palace forward has been linked with a host of clubs, including Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Championship promotion rivals Albion, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle were believed to be leading the chase as cash-strapped Palace prepare to part ways with their prized asset.

But, speaking after West Brom's impressive 3-1 victory over Sheffield United, Di Matteo admitted the England Under-19 starlet is not heading for The Hawthorns.

"Yes we were interested in him but it looks like he's not coming here," said the Baggies boss.

"It looks like there's something tied up somewhere else but I don't know where."

Di Matteo, who knew nothing of rumours linking Robert Koren with a move to Celtic, added: "We're going to try to get a couple of players out and a couple of players in.

"But we need to get some out first and then we'll look to get some in.

"I'd like to freshen up a little bit."

It was a good day for the Italian as he watched his side moved two points behind second-placed Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand.

After an even opening, the course of the clash changed in the 18th minute when Albion were handed a fortunate penalty for a harsh handball against Nick Montgomery.

The influential Graham Dorrans slotted home the resulting spot-kick before Roman Bednar added a deserved second as Albion firmly took hold.

Darius Henderson's 11th league goal of the season handed the Blades immediate hope at the start of the second half - slotting home the second penalty of the game after Youssouf Mulumbu's foul on Stephen Quinn.

But the lively Jerome Thomas soon put Albion back in the driving seat and on course for a deserved three points.

Di Matteo added: "I'm very pleased with our performance as that was the most important aspect of the day, we needed to win.

"Especially in the first half I thought we were terrific."

But even he was left confused as to the reason why his team had been awarded their spot-kick, adding: "Both penalties looked a little bit soft."

If Di Matteo was confused then opposite number Kevin Blackwell was more than annoyed.

"To give away a penalty like that is an absolute joke," he said.

"I've seen the DVD and can't see where the penalty is, I just cannot see where it is at all.

"And that then just gave them fresh impetus to come at us again.

"So the game plan was thrown out of the window."

Blackwell continued: "The first half was not good enough, it's as simple as that.

"In the second half we've come out and had a good go at them but shot ourselves in the foot by allowing them to come back."

Source: Team Talk

Source: Team Talk