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'Immature,' wantaway Saido Berahino available for West Brom selection

Darren Staples / Reuters

Despite manager Tony Pulis condemning him for lack of respect and maturity, Saido Berahino is in contention for selection in Saturday's visit of Southampton.

Related: Saido Berahino returns to West Brom training after threatening to quit team

The 22-year-old tried to force a move to Tottenham Hotspur over the summer, even going as far as announcing he would never play for West Bromwich Albion again via social media, but he has now been given the opportunity to make amends at The Hawthorns.

(Courtesy: BBC)

Berahino handed in a transfer request after the Baggies rejected two bids from the Spurs for the striker. His demand to move was turned down by the club, and it refused two further offers from the North London club near the close of the window.

"Saido is immature at times, but I'm more concerned with getting him back playing," Pulis told BBC WM.

The Welshman appreciates his ambition, but is disappointed with the way the Burundi-born England Under-21 international went about it.

"The fact that he wants to play for a top team, I wish most of the players here would have those expectations and ambitions.

"The problem Saido has is in the way he's gone around it. He's not shown the respect to people around this club that he should have."

Pulis does appear to show sympathy for Berahino, though, suggesting he is an impressionable youngster who has had his head turned by the riches of the summer transfer window.

"It's unfortunate that Saido's been exploited by a system. I've said I don't like and I think it should be changed."

West Brom welcomes the Saints to the West Midlands with the clubs separated by just one point in the Premier League table.

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