ALBION boss Chris Hughton has played down the absence of Burnley transfer target Dale Stephens from the draw at Reading.

Hughton refuted suggestions the midfielder refused to play and said he was better off training on Friday and Saturday to catch-up after missing much of pre-season.

Stephens was a glaring omission from the squad for the 2-2 draw at the Madejski Stadium after starting the midweek victory at home to Rotherham alongside Ollie Norwood.

Beram Kayal and Steve Sidwell, who started the first two league games, were brought back in central midfield.

Hughton told The Argus: “Dale’s fine. I brought him and Ollie in midweek. I don’t know if he expected it but it was hard on Beram and Siddy.

“I would imagine he saw that and if I looked at his performance midweek he covered the distance he normally does, so he is not so far off, but he didn’t have the effect on the game Dale normally can.

“There’s no doubt he’s a little bit short, which is normal. He missed a decent chunk of pre-season and hasn’t played the amount of games others have but he will be fine.

“We’ve got two games before the window and then, of course, I’ve got decisions to make.

“One thing I can categorically tell you is he did not refuse to play. Dale has been excellent for us, he’s not that type of individual. He trains hard every day, he’s a very good professional.”

Albion have dropped to second below Huddersfield but remain unbeaten.

Hughton said: “I have to be delighted, with two home games won and two tough away games. Reading’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle wasn’t a fair reflection. They had really good periods and unfortunately conceded from set plays so we knew it was going to be tough.”