Roberto Di Matteo was today playing the waiting game as Premier League clubs continued to threaten moves for his leading Albion stars.

The new Baggies head coach was awaiting Bolton’s next move in the summer-long Paul Robinson saga and bracing himself for possible interest from Fulham in captain Jonathan Greening.

And the Italian was hoping to press ahead with the £2m deal to sign Simon Cox from Swindon as the club handed young midfielder Joss Labadie a new one-year contract.

Albion were also looking to tie up the loose ends of Youssouf Mulumbu’s transfer from Paris Saint Germain while sounding out former Scotland captain Barry Ferguson on his latest position about a possible move from Rangers.

Baggies officials were waiting for fresh contact from Bolton over Robinson, who remains a transfer target for former Hawthorns boss Gary Megson.

But, despite weekend media reports, the Baggies have had no fresh offers from the Reebok Stadium since the unveiling of Di Matteo as head coach last Thursday.

And the same applies to Greening, despite intense speculation at the weekend that Fulham had lodged an opening bid for the experienced midfielder.

However, there are strong signals that manager Roy Hodgson could be ready to test the club’s resolve to keep the midfield man.

Albion have made it clear they will only sell their ‘crown jewels’ on their own terms and chairman Jeremy Peace made it clear last week that Greening falls squarely into that category, with talks already underway over an extended contract.

But a significant bid could prove tempting for Di Matteo as it could create extra funds for strengthening other areas of a squad top heavy with midfielders.

Albion will not stand in Robinson’s way if Bolton lodge a suitable offer but the Trotters have so far failed to meet the Baggies’ valuation.

Cox is due at the Albion training ground this week for a medical and contract talks but no hiccups are expected in the striker’s move. Labadie has penned a one-year deal with a further year’s option in the club’s favour.