Albion have fined Fulham transfer target Lewis Dunk a fortnight’s wages after he refused to play for them in a cup tie.

Dunk was not in the squad for the Capital One Cup first round clash at Southend on August 11, which Albion won 1-0.

The centre-half played in the opening Championship win against Nottingham Forest at the Amex four nights earlier.

Fulham had already made two bids at that stage. It has now emerged that Dunk was fined two weeks wages by the club for refusing to play against Southend.

He was on the bench at Fulham four days later and remained among the substitutes at Huddersfield last Tuesday and for Saturday’s home game against Blackburn Rovers following the signing of German central defender Uwe Huenemeier.

Fulham had two further offers for Dunk of £5 million and another in excess of £5 million rejected by Albion in recent days.

They have until 6pm on September 1, when the transfer window closes, to make another bid.

Albion have responded to the interest from Fulham and an un-named Premier League club lurking in the background by offering Dunk, 23, an improved contract over a longer term than the three years remaining on his existing deal.

It is unclear whether Dunk will start tomorrow night’s Capital One Cup second round tie at Walsall.

Skipper Gordon Greer was partnered by Republic of Ireland under-21 international Glen Rea, who Albion intend to send out on loan, in the previous round at Southend. Latest centre-half signing Connor Goldson is cup-tied after featuring in Shrewsbury’s first round win at Blackburn.