Steer on trial at West Brom and Traore staying at Portsmouth for season

Defender Rene Steer is currently on trial at Premier League side West Brom as he looks to win a contract at the Hawthorns having been told he can leave Arsenal. The Luton-born left-back was on the bench for Arsenal’s Carling Cup defeat to Burnley but his contract expires in the summer and is unlikely to be renewed. Steer, who previously failed a trial at Cheltenham, played the whole 90 minutes for the Baggies Reserves on Friday night and will now await a decision on his future.

Abu Ogogo, meanwhile, has seen his loan at League Two club Barnet extended by a further month because of increasing concerns over regular right-back Joe Devera. Ogogo, who has made four appearances for the Bees, scored his first professional goal against Luton last week but was sent off for a second bookable offence just five minutes later and subsequently missed yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Gillingham at Underhill.

Another loanee, Armand Traoré, is set to see out the rest of his loan spell at Portsmouth despite rumours that the Parisian is wanted by other Premier League clubs. Traoré is back in training following a hamstring problem and is on the bench for today’s game with Newcastle.