Albion loan stars are gone but not forgotten (From The Argus)

Albion loan stars are gone but not forgotten

5:00pm Monday 14th May 2012 in Sport By Brian Owen

Albion are keeping close tabs on the loan stars who helped them to a top-ten finish.

But coach Charlie Oatway has warned they will have to wait before knowing whether any of the quartet could return to The Amex.

The Argus understands Joe Mattock, who made the Seagulls’ left-back spot his own, is expected to be surplus to requirements at West Bromwich Albion, whoever takes over in charge from Roy Hodgson.

Club-mate Gonzalo Jara Reyes stands more chance of forcing his way into next season’s squad although he was not in the picture when the Baggies ended their season at home to Arsenal yesterday.

Sam Vokes (Wolves) and Gai Assulin (Manchester City) were also with the Seagulls until the end of the Championship campaign.

None have been ruled out of Albion’s plans for next season.

Albion coach Charlie Oatway said: “The good thing with Sam and Gonzo and people like that is that they have come and played for us now.

“We know what they are like and they know what we are like. It goes both ways.

“They got called back at the end of the season by their clubs because they wanted to do fitness testing.

“We agreed we will see what the situation is with them as well as us.

“You can see with West Brom a new manager is coming in and he might want to see them in pre-season so it is not really for us to comment.

“They are their players, not our players. It’s out of our hands. But they are certainly on our radar because we have had them here – Gonzo has had two spells - and liked the boys.”

Albion face another trip to Bolton next season after yesterday’s dramatic finale to the Premier League season.

Wanderers joined Lancashire rivals Blackburn and Burnley in the Championship when they were held 2-2 at Stoke.