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Slaven Bilic has revealed that Ahmed Hegazi was left out of West Brom’s match-day squad to face Brentford because of an incident on the training ground.

The Egyptian, who has started a single match this season because of the form of Kyle Bartley and Semi Ajayi in central defence, was replaced by young defender Dara O’Shea in the 18 as the Bees visited The Hawthorns.

The Irishman would take the place of the injured Kyle Bartley, but it was an omission that did leave many wondering where Hegazi was.

Hegazi is believed to have been the subject of a rejected bid from Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad - Bilic’s former club - ahead of the opening of the January transfer window, and the Croat confirmed that that played a part in said incident.

The 28-year-old was reportedly valued at £3.4m by the Saudi club.

“It has something to do with that,” Bilic revealed. “Something happened yesterday on the training ground. It is not something I want to share or discuss with the media.

“It’s a little thing, but it was something that was big enough for him to be not in the squad today.”

Hegazi, who remained with Albion in the summer of 2018 despite relegation from the Premier League, played throughout last campaign but underwent ankle surgery upon his return from the African Nations Cup in the summer.

During the time of his recovery, Bartley and Ajayi had struck up a partnership in defence that has made it difficult for the Egyptian to regain his place.