Saido Berahino embraces fitness regime and holds talks over West Brom future

The 23-year-old has been placed on a tailored weight-loss programme by head coach Tony Pulis after turning up for training 8lbs too heavy.

After that, Pulis decided to leave the striker out of Saturday's squad for the Tottenham game.

But it's understood Berahino wants to prove himself as Premier League goalscorer once again, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get back into the first team.

Although he turned down a four-year contract offer in July, Albion hope the club's recent change at boardroom level might sway his mind.

The Baggies have not yet tabled another deal, but Williams has sat down with Berahino to try to build bridges with the academy product whose relationship with the club has soured over the last year.

Last September, the striker said he'd never play for Jeremy Peace again after Albion's former chairman turned down several bids for him from Tottenham. But Peace recently sold the club for £175million to Chinese investor Guochuan Lai.

Although he is staying on as an adviser for the rest of the season, it is a remote consultancy role purely for the benefit of Williams and Lai.

Albion's new chairman does not wish to lose the striker on a free transfer next summer and wants to patch up the relationship if possible.

However, there is no indication at this stage that Berahino – who wanted to join Spurs last year and Stoke in the summer – is willing to stay at the club beyond next May.

But he is eager to rediscover his fitness. With his current contract running out at the end of the season, he knows he is entering a crucial stage of his career.

The England under-21 international only has one goal in his last 28 Premier League games, and he hasn't scored at all this season.