Di Matteo decides West Brom to battle relegation without Moore
Published:Luke Moore will not be involved in the early stages of West Brom’s battle with Premier League relegation this season after Roberto Di Matteo left him out of his 25-man squad.
The former Aston Villa striker will now have to look for a loan move away from the Hawthornes as Premier League rules note that he is ineligible to play a league game for West Brom until January, when the squads are reassessed.
West Brom are 11/10 to suffer relegation to the Championship this season, but are currently flying high in 16th after their home victory against Sunderland.
Wolves are another team expected to face a relegation scramble that have made a recognised omission from their squad as Michael Kightly has been axed.
Kightly has been impressive at Wolves since joining from non-league Grays Athletic in 2007, but was troubled by a host of injuries last season that disrupted his campaign.
A knee injury is what is currently keeping him on the sidelines and Mick McCarthy does not feel that he will be able to add anything until January as Wolves battle odds of 7/2 to avoid relegation.
However, Stephen Hunt, who is still recovering from foot surgery, has been included in the squad.
West Ham are 7/4 to be relegated to the Championship this season and have chosen to name some injury-troubled youngsters in their squad, with Jack Collison and Zavon Hines making the cut as they continue to recover from knee injuries.
Stoke are less likely to get relegated, but have been left without the services of Mamady Sidebe, who has been ruled out for the entire season after snapping his Achilles tendon in a defeat at Tottenham earlier in the campaign.
Blackpool are the heavy favourites to make an immediate return to the Championship at 2/9. See the whole Premier League relegation market.
