Albion welcome back World Cup duo

Friday 30th July 2010, 10:25AM BST.

Albion welcome back World Cup duo

World Cup stars Marek Cech and Chris Wood could return for Albion when they continue their pre-season at Coventry.

Graham Dorrans and Roman Bednar are also back from injury for the trip to the Ricoh Arena tomorrow (3pm), but teenage midfielder Sam Mantom has been ruled out for a month.

The 20-year-old faces a spell on the sidelines after damaging medial knee ligaments while Jerome Thomas (knee), Simon Cox and Luke Moore (ankle) remain doubtful for tomorrow’s friendly.

Cech and Wood returned to training this week after their extended post-World Cup break and both could figure against the Sky Blues.

Head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: “Roman and Dorrans trained yesterday so we expect them to be available. Sam’s going to be out for up to a month and we’ll assess Jerome after training before making a decision.

“Saturday comes too soon for Coxy but he’s not far off. Luke is also likely to be missing.”

Tomorrow’s match will bring Albion head-to-head with former Hawthorns academy manager Aidy Boothroyd, who is preparing for his first season in charge at Coventry.

The ex-Watford boss was chosen to replace Chris Coleman having expressed an interest in taking over at The Hawthorns before Di Matteo’s appointment last summer.

And Boothroyd will unveil his latest signing — former Walsall striker Clive Platt — tomorrow.

The Wolverhampton-based targetman, aged 32, has linked up again with his former Colchester boss and Boothroyd said: “Clive is one of the most under-rated players I’ve ever worked with — a very unselfish team player who can bind everything together.

“Everyone who plays with him scores goals and I think he can add something to the squad.”

Albion fans making the short trip to the Ricoh Arena must pay in cash at the turnstiles. Prices are £11 for adults, £8 for pensioners and disabled fans and £3 for under-16s.

Meanwhile, Albion have appointed West Midlands suit-makers Clements & Church as their official first-team tailor the next season.

The company, which is based in Church Street, Birmingham, and has shops in Leamington and Solihull, will supply suits, shirts and club ties.

A club statement said: “We are pleased to announce our season-long association with the award-winning tailors, Clements & Church.

“As we head into another season in the top flight of English football, we are delighted to welcome on board a locally-based company who are also performing at the highest level.”

Adrian Barrow, of Clements & Church, said: “To have been appointed official tailors to a Premier League football team is a great honour to us and it further emphasises the resurgence that British clothing brands are enjoying.”



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