Friday 4 November 2016 13:48, UK
Tony Pulis has revealed West Brom have sent Saido Berahino to train in France in an effort to get him match fit.
Berahino has not featured in the Premier League for West Brom since he started in a 1-0 defeat away to Bournemouth on September 10.
The 23-year-old was put on a personal weight-loss programme last month due to concerns about his fitness but Pulis is still not satisfied and has sent him to France to work with a former colleague in a bid to improve his conditioning.
"Saido's off at a fitness centre working with a fellow I worked with when I was young in management," Pulis said. "He's got a week to top himself up to a level and hopefully he'll be not only sharp but at a level to sustain it.
"He'll assess what we've done and make a judgement on what Saido needs to do. We think this is the best way.
"It will be a good experience for Saido and for the club so we'll get a good idea of his conditioning."
Berahino came to prominence two seasons ago when he scored 20 goals in 45 appearances for the Baggies.
This attracted interest from Tottenham, who had three bids rejected, including one for £22.5m, during the 2015/16 summer transfer window.
In response to not being allowed to leave, the forward suggested he would not play for club chairman Jeremy Peace again. He eventually featured 35 times last season, but only scored seven goals.
Both Stoke and Crystal Palace had £20m bids for the player rejected during the last transfer window.
"Saido's had issues more off the pitch than on it," Pulis admitted. "The first six months here he was excellent - that's what we're trying to do, get him back to that level."
Berahino will not be part of the West Brom squad to take on Leicester City this weekend, live on Sky Sports' Super Sunday, and neither will winger Nacer Chadli after he underwent minor knee surgery.
The former Tottenham player has withdrawn from the Belgium squad for their upcoming games against Holland and Estonia but Pulis is hopeful he will be fit for the Baggies' first Premier League fixture after the international break, against Burnley on November 21.
Pulis explained: "He's had a little trim of his cartilage but we're hoping he'll be fit for Burnley. It was important to get it done. It's better we get it done and dealt with as quick as we can.
"The op went well so hoping he'll be fine for Burnley. He's been great for us and around the place."
