West Brom won't act fast on out-of-contract stars
West Brom boss Steve Clarke today insisted the final six games of the season will not make or break any of his players' Hawthorns futures.
Clarke said all of the club's out-of-contract stars – including injury victim Zoltan Gera – will have their futures decided based on their whole Baggies careers.
And the Scot reported mixed news on the contract negotiations with Gareth McAuley, Youssouf Mulumbu and Shane Long.
The trio are all under contract for next season but have opened talks over extensions while Gera, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Jerome Thomas are out of contract in the summer.
Full-back Steven Reid has an option in the club's favour for next season.
Clarke said today: "Nobody's future will be decided on the final six games.
"I don't think we should talk about players' contracts, but Steven's future won't be decided on the final six games.
"It will be decided on what he's done for the club previously and how we see the club going forward.
"What Zoltan's doing now and where he is just now won't have any bearing on the decision. It won't for any of the players."
The Baggies have been in talks for several weeks with McAuley, Mulumbu and Long and Clarke said today: "I have to be really honest.
"One is progressing well, one is progressing and one is not moving very far at the moment. But people can work out themselves which one is which, because I have to be careful what I say.
"It's not my department. My job is to coach the players I have got. I would like to think they'll be resolved. They are three key players for the squad who still have a lot to offer."
"I would like to think that, sooner or later, they will be done."
Meanwhile, Peter Odemwingie remains a doubt for the weekend meeting with Newcastle because of a sore knee after missing the defeat to Arsenal, while Liam Ridgewell has missed training with a groin problem.
Clarke said: "Peter is progressing. Liam Ridgewell picked up a little knock in training but we are still hopeful for the weekend.
"He felt a little tightness in his groin so we took him out of training as a precaution. And I think Isaiah Brown will struggle for the weekend."
