Rob Jarvis

Tue 17 May 2022 7:30, UK

West Brom defender Cedric Kipre is “clearly” now surplus to requirements at The Hawthorns, according to Steve Madeley.

The Athletic journalist has reported that the Ivorian defender is now certain to be made available for transfer as Steve Bruce looks to mould his squad.

The Baggies may need to let some faces go in order to strengthen accordingly for their push for Premier League football next season after disappointment in this campaign.

Writing in his last column for The Athletic, Madeley shared the latest on those players expected to be moving on from The Hawthorns this summer.

“Cedric Kipre, who has only ever been an unused substitute in Bruce’s three months in charge, is clearly surplus to requirements and, while he has two years remaining on his contract, is almost certain to be made available for transfer,” he wrote.

Clear out.

This has been needed for quite some time now.

It has been clear from the very start that Kipre is not exactly good enough to become a consistent fixture of this West Brom side, no matter which manager is in charge.

Valerien Ismael used him more than others at the start of this season, but mistakes and lack of consistency saw him drop in and out very regularly.

Bruce will be wanting to put his own spin on the squad moving forward under the stewardship of Ron Gourlay, and getting rid of players to make space makes complete sense.

There won’t be many complaints if Kipre is the first to leave, and a team lower in the Championship would make sense, or maybe even Europe as he spent that time on loan in Belgium.

This is certainly one to watch across the summer though, with more than just the one exit expected.

In other West Brom news, one player who proved to be a bright spot this year won’t be at the club next year and a former Baggies player has reacted to the news.

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