Baggies defend Gera decision

West Brom have defended their decision not to allow injured midfielder Zoltan Gera to link up with Hungary for their final two World Cup qualifiers.

Gera has not travelled to Budapest and will play no part in the games against Bulgaria on Saturday and Croatia four days later due to a persistent groin problem for which he is receiving specialist treatment following a scan.

Hungary cannot qualify for the 2006 finals whatever the outcome of their final two group matches and Gera remains a doubt for Albion’s next Barclays Premiership clash with visitors Arsenal on October 15.

West Brom director-secretary Dr John Evans, in a media statement, said: “Our medical team has hidden nothing and has nothing to hide.

“It is very easy to sit 1,000 miles away and criticise but our medical staff have done everything by the book and by FIFA regulations.

“Hungary have every right to send a specialist to England to examine Zoltan.”