- Jake Livermore was left out by West Brom boss Tony Pulis in recent weeks
- The England midfielder did not feature against West Ham or Manchester City
- His absence raised concerns but Pulis insisted there is nothing wrong with him
- ‘Everything is fine. He just needed a break, a couple of days off,’ Pulis revealed
Jake Livermore will be available to return to face Arsenal on Monday having been rested by manager Tony Pulis for being ‘mentally tired’.
Pulis’s decision to leave Livermore out of his plans for games against West Ham and Manchester City in the last week led to concern given the midfielder’s previous bouts of depression that followed the death of his baby son. He later tested positive for cocaine as he struggled to come to terms with the tragedy.
However, Pulis insisted on Saturday morning there was nothing wrong with 27-year-old midfielder and he now regrets not blaming his absence on a regulation injury in order to avoid the unnecessary attention.
‘Everything is OK’ with Jake Livermore, Tony Pulis insisted after he missed recent matches
The West Brom boss left the midfielder out of games against West Ham and Manchester City
‘Jake will be OK. Coming out and saying he was tired mentally and physically, I should have just said he had a hamstring injury, that would have stopped all the stuff in the media. Maybe I have learned my lesson,’ said Pulis.
‘Everything is fine. He just needed a break, a couple of days off to dust himself down and clear his mind.
‘The thing with Jake going away in the summer with England, it was all new and fresh.
‘Everything is fine. He just needed a break, a couple of days off,’ Pulis said of the midfielder
‘He did look tired and his stats showed he was a little bit jaded and there was nothing else to it.
‘We have strength in depth in our group so so I can pull people out. But he is fine and will be available for Monday.’
Pulis will check on the fitness of Chris Brunt, Nacer Chadli and Oliver Burke on Sunday before naming his line-up for The Emirates.