West Bromwich Albion loanee Luke Steele faces FA Cup heartache

Mar 14 2008

LUKE Steele faces Wembley heartache with Barnsley unwilling to sign him on a free transfer.

The keeper's loan ends today and he could face returning to Albion and missing the FA CUP semi-final against Cardiff.

"It is a concern for the player and it is sad that Luke is in the middle of it all", said Mowbray.

"The stance our club is taking is the right one and we do not want to be the fool.

"It would be strange if Luke watches that semi-final whilst on loan elsewhere.

"This is the last day of his loan and hopefully it will get resolved for the benefit of the player.

"We are happy to let him go on a free transfer. We are offering them a pretty attractive deal.

"Luke wants first team football and if he comes back he will be third choice, but at the minute it does not look like something they want to take up.

"We are not asking for a fee but there is a hold-up. I find it difficult to understand where they are coming from.

"We have been subsidising Luke's wages quite considerably but the deal on the table is a very good one for Barnsley. Luke has played a good part in their Cup run which has made them a lot of money. It makes sense.

"The boy has a transfer value now - but we are not asking for anything. If he comes back it will be a shame for the boy."

Albion will be without Chris Brunt (hamstring) and James Morrison (ankle) against Leicester tomorrow. "We'd hope that within ten days to two weeks they would be back", added Mowbray.

Carl Hoefkens was set to train today.