Oscar Garcia saw Albion kick off pre-season with a win – but was unable to air his views on how his team are shaping up.

Garcia, pictured, did not comment after a 3-0 friendly win at Whitehawk on Saturday.

He has been prevented from talking to the media since taking over as head coach almost a fortnight ago.

Albion, advised by their lawyers, are not granting interviews with management or playing staff until procedures involving sacked manager Gus Poyet are complete.

Supporters have only heard from Garcia via a brief and carefully controlled in-house interview soon after his arrival which was also released to other media outlets, including The Argus.

Garcia smiled, signed autographs and looked content after he side beat the Conference south new boys 3-0 with goals from Solly March, Ashley Barnes and Andrea Orlandi.

Bruno and Kazenga LuaLua missed the match as a precautionary measure but are expected to be fit for the next first team friendly at Getafe a week on Wednesday. The pair were both said to be suffering from “tightness” by a club spokesman.

Former England left-back former Nicky Shorey rounded off his second week on trial by setting up Barnes’s goal with a precise cross but has not yet secured a deal.

Meanwhile 21-year-old Latvian striker Deniss Rakels is heading to Albion on trial according to reports in Poland, where he plays for Zaglebie Lubin.

Albion send a team to Hastings tomorrow for what is being billed as a development squad friendly.