DI MATTEO ‘A SAFE BET’

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace’s move for Italian Di Matteo, 39, after just one season in League One with MK Dons has raised eyebrows, especially after he was clearly second choice behind Alan Irvine, until the Preston boss turned down the job on Monday.

“People have doubts over my experience but we will see at the end of this season where I can take this club,” said Di Matteo. “I don’t think I’m a gamble but some may think that. The aim is to get back to the Premier League. I am very confident that we can do a job and be competitive. It’s an achievable target for us.”

Di Matteo will be helped in his bid by the £2 million signing of Swindon striker Simon Cox.