West Bromwich Albion football chief Dan Ashworth says goalkeeper coach Dean Kiely won't follow Michael Appleton to Portsmouth.

Kiely has been linked with a return to Fratton Park.

"I've seen the newspaper articles and there's nothing in it," Baggies sporting director Ashworth said.

"As I understand it, Michael's gone into Portsmouth on his own. I don't think he's taking in any other staff. All of our staff are happy and well contracted and we think a lot of all of them.

"We didn't want to lose Michael, so we're certainly not looking to lose anybody else, especially at this stage of the season.

"We've also put one or two things in which give us a little bit of protection about our staff and so on and so forth. It's in our control and we're keen to keep our existing, successful team together."