Tony Pulis hopes his only transfer business before the close of play at 11pm on Monday is incoming rather than outgoing at West Bromwich Albion but the manager has warned against unrealistic expectations if Saido Berahino remains after the striker marked his return with two goals.
Newcastle submitted a bid of around £21m on Sunday to sign the 22-year-old but that remains below the estimation of the West Brom chairman, Jeremy Peace, who values the striker at more than £25m. Berahino looked sharp in his first start since October, only for defensive errors to gift Peterborough a draw and ensure a replay on 9 February.
Pulis said: “The great thing is Saido played and got a couple of goals and looked dangerous, but he is not fit. People are going to have to be a little bit careful with the expectations. He will score but we have to get him up to a level of match fitness. That is very important for us.”
Berahino, who threatened to go on strike when he was not allowed a move to Tottenham last summer, has been reduced to substitute appearances in recent months with Peace playing hardball over his future. He had a dead leg during the first half but said he wanted to play on, which Pulis said is testament to the player’s attitude.
“He has been like that all the time The problem with Saido is there has been so much surrounding him. He is a young kid and he is a footballer first and foremost. I think sometimes people forget that and he needs to play. But in the game he gets two opportunities and puts them in the back of the net and that’s why everybody wants him.”
West Brom have confirmed Serge Gnabry’s loan has been terminated and the midfielder has returned to Arsenal.
Graham Westley, whose pre-match rallying call referred to Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson and The Revenant, hopes the result gives his young Peterborough squad the confidence to climb back into the League One play-off places. Shaquile Coulthirst, a recent signing from Tottenham, scored his first goal for the club to make it 1-1 and Jon Taylor, who said he was expecting the blame for allowing Berahino to put West Brom back in front, struck the second equaliser.
Westley said: “I know it’s a cliche but our primary objective is to get out of League One. We’ve come a long way. We were 18th when I came in. We’ve pushed our way up into the top six. We’ve been scoring a lot of goals, playing a good brand of football. It’s really important for us that we don’t let it get in the way of three points next weekend.”
Man of the match Saido Berahino (WBA)
