Sessegnon and Thorne not in travelling party
ALAN Irvine is taking a 23-man squad to Albion’s pre-season training camp in Sacramento.
The Baggies are today flying out for an 11-day spell in California, where they will twice play new USL Pro side Sacramento Republic.
Ben Foster will be on the flight having been reunited with his team-mates yesterday, after being given permission to report back late following his World Cup duty with England.
However, Stephane Sessegnon and George Thorne will not be on the US-bound plane.
Sessegnon has been selected for international duty by Benin for Sunday’s AFCON qualifier against Malawi while, Thorne, who has handed in two transfer requests, will remain in the West Midlands.
“The club are in talks with Derby about George and while those negotiations continue it makes sense for him to remain at home,” explained head coach Irvine.
“However, if no agreement is reached, George will be flown out to join the rest of the group in the US.”
Albion’s Stateside friendlies against Sacramento Republic will take place at Bonney Field (capacity 8,000) on Monday, July 21 and Friday, July 25 (both ko 7.30pm West Coast USA time).
It is the second time in four years the Baggies have headed to the US during pre-season, after a successful trip to California and Oregon ahead of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League campaign.
SQUAD: Foster, Myhill, L Daniels, Pocognoli, Baird, McAuley, Dawson, O’Neil, Olsson, Garmston, Atkinson, Lescott, D Daniels, Mulumbu, Yacob, Brunt, Gardner, Dorrans, Morrison, Anichebe, Berahino, A Nabi, Roofe.