West Bromwich Albion first-team coach Gerry Francis has admitted that speculation surrounding Saido Berahino's future is "unsettling".

The striker had a transfer request rejected by the club earlier this week.

Tottenham Hotspur are also understood to have had two bids knocked back for the 22-year-old, who scored 20 times last season.

"It's unsettling," Francis told Sky Sports News. "It's not something that's unique - lots of clubs have situations like this but it is unsettling when our star striker hasn't played for the last two games. He's a great young talent and he's very important for us, so it would be great to see him playing.

"There's things going on in the young man's head at the moment and Tony [Pulis] doesn't feel as though he's been in the right frame of mind but that's not to say he won't be playing at the weekend.

"Players are used to things going on but you want your best players out on the pitch. It would be nice to be settled; hopefully it will in the next few days."

West Brom reached the third round of the League Cup last night with a penalty-shootout victory over Port Vale.