West Brom boss wants more transfer funds in January

Nov 23 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

ROBERTO Di Matteo will seek financial backing for the January transfer window in a bid to bolster Albion's first-team squad.

The Baggies traditionally run a 'topping up' policy during the New Year.

That would generally mean Di Matteo needing to generate cash through the sale of existing players, although the Italian hopes that his Board will relax that policy in the light of Albion's excellent progress.

He aims to recruit a striker and a centre-half during the window, having also cited concerns about the general young age of his first-team squad..

But Di Matteo's plans for January are only with this season in mind - the Baggies head-coach is not getting too carried away with his side's recent form, including Saturday's 4-1 win against Bristol City.

"The minute that you think you are too good for this division, you are going to get punished," he said.

"I am not thinking about next season.

"I have already asked the club for money to spend in January, but let's wait and see what happens first.

"We have got a very good scouting system and we are working on a number of targets, but we will see how we are in January, which is still seven games away.

"It is still too early to be looking at players that can play at a higher level. If we get promoted, then you can start planning for that but until then I will not plan for next year."

Di Matteo continued: "I might not even be here. In a manager's job you lose four games and it's bye-bye.

"It is the wrong time to talk about next season. But the chairman is very supportive, he gives everything he can to advance the possibilities of this club."

Robert Koren, Filipe Teixeira and Leon Barnett are among those who could be heading out of the club having slipped down Di Matteo's pecking order.

Koren has already voiced his discontent with failing to nail down a permanent spot in central midfield, while Barnett is currently on loan at Coventry City with a view to a permanent deal.