Canadian ace set for trial; BAGGIES BOOST: Di Matteo to cast eye over Vancouver Whitecaps star: Haber's on way.

Byline: Chris Lepkowski

ALBION are giving a trial to Canadian international striker Marcus Haber.

The 20-year-old linked up with the Baggies' first-team squad today and will spend the next four days training with Roberto Di Matteo's men.

The Vancouver Whitecaps player, who has previously had trials with Leeds, Hartlepool and Gillingham, scored eight times last season in 30 games.

The 6ft 3ins former youth international was voted as USL/1 rookie of the year, as well as Whitecaps' newcomer of the year and the club's official Fans' Favourite.

Haber has been capped at under-23 and under-20 level and is regarded as a pacy marksman.

Meanwhile, Joe Mattock has handed Albion a fitness boost after scans revealed he had suffered no more than a badly bruised foot.

The left-back was carried off in Saturday's 4-1 win against Bristol City.

It was initially feared he had suffered a major injury but tests have shown there is no fracture.

He will be assessed throughout the week and could be fit for Saturday's game against Sheffield Wednesday.

The 19-year-old has been growing in confidence and improving with form following an indifferent opening to his Baggies career. And team-mate Jonas Olsson admits the youngster is starting to mature, having suffered at the hands of Leicester's booboys earlier this month when he made his first return to his former club. Olsson believes Mattock has a bright future and is more than capable of replacing ex-longserving left-back Paul Robinson, who moved to Bolton in the summer. "Looking back at the game against Leicester it was difficult for him to go back to his old club," said Olsson.

"I think he played maybe his best game of the season there. "That shows character that he is amature player, even if he is only 19. "I had Robbo on my left side last season and I enjoyed playing with him, but Joe has come in and I really enjoy playing alongside him. "Robbo leaving was a big hole to fill and I think Joe has done brilliantly so far. "He is 19 and already playing well in the league, he has a bright future ahead of him.

"He is a good character and a humble guy, you can speak to him and direct him on the field and he will listen to you. "I really enjoy playing with him and I hope to play next to him for a long time. "He has been showing good consistency in the first 16 games and I was very impressed with his performance at Leicester." n Reports in Romanian papers claiming Albion are set to sign Gabriel Tamas are incorrect. Although Tamas remains on the radar, the Baggies have yet to pursue their initial interest.

CAPTION(S):

Highly-rated: VancouverWhitecaps striker Marcus Haber (right), in action here for Canada, is set for a trial at the Hawthorns.