Chadli out for Austria – but will go to Far East with West Brom

The Baggies squad are currently ramping up their preparations for the 2017/18 season by undergoing a series of fitness drills in the Austrian mountains.

Pulis and his players flew out to the Alps earlier this week and will play Czech champions Slavia Prague in a friendly on Wednesday.

The notorious trip will see the Baggies players face dawn wake-up calls followed by energy-sapping hill runs, bike rides, strength and conditioning workouts as well as evening training sessions.

But Chadli has opted not to take part and instead asked Pulis if he could stay behind to undertake his own strength and conditioning training programme.

The Express & Star understands Pulis was left frustrated with the decision of Albion’s record signing.

The Welshman has taken his teams on a training camp to Austria for the past three years.

And the boss believes it played a key part in Albion’s players losing the least number of days to injury in the top-flight last season.

But Pulis agreed to let Chadli remain behind – with the 27-year-old now expected to have to prove his fitness when he links up for the tour of Hong Kong next week.

The Baggies fly out to the Far East on July 15 where they will contest the Premier League Asia Trophy alongside Liverpool, Leicester and Crystal Palace.

Pulis’s men then travel to Spain for their final pre-season friendly against La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna, a week before the 2017/18 Premier League campaign gets under way.

Meanwhile, it is understood Pulis’ long-serving assistant Dave Kemp could be set to retire after also not joining the squad in Austria.

Kemp’s contract with Albion expired at the end of June and the coach is considering his future with Albion set to find out his decision shortly.

If the former Stoke and Crystal Palace No.2 does step down, Pulis will consider a restructure to his back-room team.