<
>

Duo earn new WBA contracts

West Brom have announced they have exercised one-year options on captain Chris Brunt and fellow midfielder Graham Dorrans, while defenders Steven Reid and Liam Ridgewell are part of a group of players confirmed as departing.

#INSERT type:image caption:Baggies skipper Chris Brunt. END#

Hicks: Swansea report card

The summer changes for Albion, who finished the campaign just three points above the Premier League relegation zone in 17th place, earlier this week parted company with head coach Pepe Mel by mutual consent.

And on Friday, the Baggies released two statements relating to the playing staff.

The first said the options on Brunt and Dorrans have been exercised, and that the club remain in talks with full-back Billy Jones, who is out of contract in June.

West Brom director of football administration Richard Garlick said: "Chris and Graham have given the club long and valued service and played big parts in getting the team over the line last season.

"We have had ongoing discussions with Billy's representatives about a new contract since last October, when we offered him a new long-term deal with substantially improved terms.

"Talks are continuing but they have proved fruitless and so far as Billy has yet to put pen to paper.''

The second statement revealed that out-of-contract duo Reid and midfielder Zoltan Gera have not been offered new deals and that West Brom have decided not to exercise their one-year option on Ridgewell.

It also said Albion have triggered a break clause in defender Diego Lugano's contract and decided against taking up their one-year option on midfielder Scott Allan.

Finally, it confirmed that five loan signings -- Scott Sinclair (from Manchester City), Morgan Amalfitano (Marseille), Matej Vydra (Udinese), Thievy Bifouma (Espanyol) and Goran Popov (Dynamo Kiev) -- have all returned to their parent clubs.

Garlick said: "Zoltan and Steven have been terrific professionals during their many years with us. They have been a real credit to the football club, both on and off the field.

"We know that Zoltan is looking to find another club while Steven, who is keen to carry on playing but is also doing his coaching badges, is considering his options.

"Liam has made a key contribution during the past two and a half years, which we thank him for. He has been a popular member of the dressing room and we wish him well as he looks for a new club.

"I would also like to thank Diego and our five loan signings for their efforts over the past 12 months.

"Scott Allan has found it difficult to break into the first team since arriving two and a half years ago and we wish him well in his future career.''