Alan Irvine: 'Big gaps' in West Brom squad

West Brom set off for the United States today with head coach Alan Irvine admitting there are "big gaps" still to be filled in his squad.

The Baggies are heading for California for a week away from the spotlight, but leave behind a glare on chairman Jeremy Peace and his staff making progress on much-needed transfer deals.

West Brom are finding it as difficult as ever to complete deals with one of their top striker targets, Emmanuel Riviere, choosing Newcastle.

A back-up option, Prejuce Nakoulma, is reported to be heading for Turkish club Mersin Idmanyurdu.

Complications continue to entangle the club's interest in Australia's World Cup full-back Jason Davidson, who has further upset his Dutch club Heracles Almel by not reporting for training.

Davidson is in dispute with Heracles as to whether or not he is a free agent but is believed to be back in England trying to push through his deal with the Baggies.

Meanwhile, another of the defensive deals Albion had lined up, Alan Hutton, has become snagged on Villa's reluctance to do business with such a close rival.

It leaves the picture more cloudy than ever for Irvine, who said: "We have good players here, no question, but there are big gaps.

"That can be a threat to us or an opportunity and it depends on the quality of players we can get. Even when you look for full-backs now the prices have changed as a result of what happened with Luke Shaw.

"Players are worth a lot more than before and that makes it more difficult for us because we have a budget and every pound we can save in one position, we can use in another.

"The players have been fantastic. But there is loads to be done still."

Irvine hasn't ruled out players joining the squad during their stay in Sacremento, where they will play two low-key friendlies against third tier American opposition.

He added: "We are doing a lot of work behind the scenes but nowadays it's harder getting signings over the line than it used to be."