Tony Pulis relaxed on Jonny Evans injury situation at West Brom
Tony Pulis believes that the injury sustained by captain Jonny Evans isn't too serious and that removing him from the pre-season clash with Crystal Palace was purely to avoid taking a chance on the centre-back.
Evans, who was playing in midfield, was in visible pain after rolling his ankle during the 2-0 loss in the Premier League Asia Trophy third-place playoff game.
However, the Albion boss confirmed that he doesn't expect the injury to be too serious.
"Jonny got a twist of his ankle but could have carried on and was happy to,” he said.
“But there was no point taking any chances and we kept him out of it. As I have said all along, the key thing from pre-season is to avoid injuries.
“This has been a fantastic tournament and we have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. And we are leaving with everybody intact and ready to continue getting ready for the game that really counts – against Bournemouth.”
He also believed that despite the scoreline, that Albion deserved more from the game, which saw his side claim the wooden spoon in Hong Kong following their loss to Leicester on penalties earlier in the week.
"The work-outs have been good and the best team lost on this occasion,” he continued.
“We were every bit as good Leicester and in the same way I thought we were better than Palace.
“But we’ve got to add that little bit of clinical quality in the vital areas. Yet performance-wise, I am happy with what we have put in.”
Meanwhile, the Welshman has poured cold water on the rumours linking Arsenal defender Kieran Gibbs with a move to The Hawthorns.
The England defender was reportedly subject of a £10m bid from West Brom, but the Baggies boss has confirmed that he won't be heading to the Black Country this summer.
"We won’t be signing Kieran Gibbs." he said.
"We have to look for players that fit what we want to do and the way we want to play.
He did however confirm that the club are keen to have two deals sorted ahead of their return back to the UK.
"We have three or four other targets we are desperate for. "
"We are juggling with two at the moment and that’s not Gibbs.
"Hopefully by the time we get back home we will have done those two."
West Brom have been reported to have a bid of approximately £21m turned down for the services of Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson.
Meanwhile a permanent deal for Marc Wilson, who spent a portion of last season under Pulis, is also of interest to Albion.
