Bryan Robson, the West Bromwich Albion manager, says that Jaroslaw Bieniuk will not be joining the club for their training camp in Portugal this week.

But Robson will continue to keep tabs on the Poland international defender.

The Amica Wronki player spent five days with Albion last week before linking up with his national B team for a match against Austria on Sunday.

And the Polish first division club are now reluctant to let the 26-year-old link up with Albion for a further trial as their season kicks off at Groclin on Tuesday.

Robson said: "Jaroslaw won't be joining us in Portugal. We did ask his club if we could extend his trial for another week but they were not keen because their season starts soon.

"However, we'll be monitoring the situation when the Polish season kicks off."

The Albion manager is now continuing his search for a central defender and striker to bolster his Barclays Premiership squad.

Darren Purse, the Albion defender and former Birmingham City player, has dismissed speculation he is poised to join Cardiff City or Southampton by ruling out a move away from The Hawthorns.

Purse, aged 28, has reportedly been a target for Dave Jones, the former Wolverhampton Wanderers manager, who is now in charge of Cardiff.

But Purse said: "I've heard I'm going to Cardiff, but as far as I'm concerned it's just paper talk. I'm really happy here at West Brom and don't want to leave the club."

Osvaldo Ardiles, the former Albion manager, has been dismissed as head coach of Tokyo Verdy 1969 after a third heavy defeat in five matches.

The midfield playmaker for Argentina during their 1978 World Cup triumph, Ardiles was in charge at The Hawthorns from 1992-93.

The 52- year- old took charge in June 2003 and led the club to the 2004 Emperor's Cup title, but the oncemighty Verdy have failed to mount a serious challenge for the J-League championship.

The two-times champions were crushed 6-0 at Jubilo Iwata at the weekend, extending their winless streak to nine games. Verdy have conceded 23 goals in their past five matches.