Slaven Bilic will be asked to make a decision on the futures of James Morrison and Gareth Barry as the two midfielders head towards West Brom exits this summer, according to the Express & Star.
The newspaper claims that Morrison, 33, and Barry, 38, are currently set to leave The Hawthorns when their contracts expire at the end of this month but newly-hired Bilic could hand them an Albion lifeline if he is keen to keep them.
Morrison is West Brom’s longest-serving player and has made 341 appearances for the club since joining from Middlesbrough in August 2007.
Barry was one of the Baggies’ most impressive midfielders last season, but injury ended his campaign in March.
OPINION
Do Morrison and Barry deserve new deals? Morrison is like a part of the furniture at The Hawthorns, but he only managed to make 19 Championship appearances last season and in the season before that he played just four times in the Premier League. The former Boro midfielder is way too injury prone and unless he is tied down to a pay-as-you-play deal, there’s not much point in West Brom keeping him around. There is no room for sentiment this summer because Albion’s ‘old-guard’ needs to be upgrade with younger, fitter players who can play almost an entire season. Barry on the other hand was probably the classiest midfielder West Brom had at times last season. He had a spell in the middle of the season where he was controlling matches with ease. Will we see that next season? The 38-year-old is not getting any younger and his most recent injury could have a major impact on the way he plays. Bilic should probably let them both leave.