Tony Pulis 'convinced' Darren Fletcher will stay at West Brom
Tony Pulis is ‘convinced’ Sunday’s game against Swansea won’t be Darren Fletcher’s last for the Baggies.
Fletcher’s contract is up in the summer although negotiations over a new deal are underway.
Pulis would be ‘surprised’ if the 33-year-old didn’t sign another contract, although he hasn’t asked his skipper for any assurances that he will stay.
Confirming talks were ongoing ahead of the final day of the season, Pulis said: “It’s always one side wants to have a little bit of this and the other. I’m sure they’ll come together, I’m convinced.
"I’ve stayed away from it and I think it’s important I stay away from it because I want to get the best out of the kid and I know the responsibilities of the football club. But I’d be surprised if he doesn’t sign.”
Fletcher joined the Baggies on a free transfer from Manchester United at the end of Pulis’s first window at the club.
He was immediately made captain and has only failed to start one Premier League game since then.
He triggered a 12-month extension in his favour on New Year’s Eve but decided not to sign it, and so the club have now offered him a new deal.
“I’m hoping it’ll all be sorted out,” said Pulis. “I’m not involved in those discussions thankfully, that’s for the club, Darren and his people.
“He’s been here two and a half years now and has been fantastic as a captain, a person and everything else.
"If he decides he wants to go and the club can’t do it then we can’t. We move on. We’re all hoping that’s not the case.”
When Pulis was asked if Fletcher had given him any assurances he would stay, Pulis said: “No, and I haven’t asked for any.”
Albion finish their season at the Liberty Stadium this Sunday, and are all-but guaranteed a top-half finish.
Unless there is an 11-goal swing with West Ham or Leicester beat Bournemouth by one goal and the Baggies lose by six, they will finish in the top 10. Pulis says the season has been a success.
“For West Brom to finish in the top 10 of the Premier League? With the budget we were working to and the number of players we had? I’d say it was pretty good.”
