West Brom "Steele" keeper!!!

Last updated : 17 March 2008 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

Simon Davey is facing up to the possibility of fielding young goal-keeper Kyle Letheren for Barnsley's FA Cup Semi-Final with Cardiff at Wembley after first choice Number 1 Luke Steele returned to West Brom today.

Steele returned to the Hawthorns after the two clubs were unable to thrash out a deal to keep The Reds FA Cup hero at Oakwell for the remainder of the season.

West Brom were happy to allow Steele to remain at Oakwell but only if Barnsley paid his wages during this time- believed to be around £8,000 a week.

This though would break the club's strict wage structure and Davey said no.

In the original loan deal West Brom paid 60% of Steele's wages but due to the financial success the club has earned during the cup run, Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace wants The Reds to shell out more. He told BBC Radio 5 Live:

To be fair, I think Barnsley would be happy to pay his wages and if there is an impasse it's over what happens to Luke either on a temporary or a permanent basis,"

"We're saying we'd like him to go there on a permanent basis, Barnsley would like to take him on loan for the rest of the season, and I think that's where the difference is."

Peace added: "We've let him go there on loan at a subsidised rate, we've put our hands in our pockets and we've helped Luke in his first four weeks there.

"We're now saying because Barnsley's financial situation has improved enormously since Luke went there - and Luke has been a major factor in that, I'd say - we just want Barnsley to do their bit.

"I've had discussions with their chairman and he's a very decent man. Hopefully we can resolve this situation."

Meanwhile the club have confirmed they will wear a special one off kit at Wembley to celebrate the day and the kit will be on sale in the Reds Superstore prior to the day of the game.

Luke Steele: Set for FA Cup heartbreak