Preston North End manager Ryan Lowe has responded after his West Brom counterpart Steve Bruce told the Lilywhites to "put their money where their mouth is".
Baggies' chief Bruce made the comments earlier this week following reports linking Albion striker Callum Robinson with a move to Deepdale. North End boss Lowe had previously made positive sounds about the possibility of the Republic of Ireland international returning to Lancashire, where he has spent three separate spells earlier in his career.
But Bruce insisted nothing concrete had come the Baggies ' way and bullishly said: "I keep hearing the rumblings but there is nothing to really report on it. They (Preston) can make as much noise as they want but what they have got to do is put their money where their mouth is."
Now, Lowe has responded and admitted his original comments declaring an interest in the 27-year-old striker were "disrespectful".
Lowe said: "Well, I read Steve Bruce's comments and I felt a bit disrespectful. It probably got worded a bit differently (to him) and without talking about other players, who wouldn't be interested in a Callum Robinson?
"As I have said before. I will just say what I said last time, because unfortunately I have to respect that he's West Brom's player. "That is all I can say on it and if there's any change I am sure you will know. I don't ever want to disrespect Steve Bruce and West Brom, because he is a fantastic bloke."
Robinson scored eight times last season for the Baggies in what was their lowest league finish in more than two decades. Bruce, appointed as Valerien Ismael's successor in February, could only guide the Midlands side to 10th spot in the Championship - eight points adrift of the play-off places.
As for Lowe, he has so far made four signings this summer: Goalkeepers Freddie Woodman and David Cornell and midfielders Robbie Brady and Ben Woodburn. He is hoping to further add to his squad although admits the complexities involved in getting a deal done aren't always apparent to supporters.
He said: "You wouldn't know until you're involved in it. You are on the phone constantly but have to be careful. You don't want to go too hard on it. The way I do it is I speak to the player and agent once I have got permission, and I put a presentation together for them to show what we do and how we do it. I give them an insight into me, the coaching staff and the day-to-day work we do, the football club and where we are trying to get to. I can't lie - I just tell them the truth of what it is."
Preston travel to newly-promoted Wigan Athletic on July 30 for their first assignment of the new Championship season - just a few hours before Bruce's Baggies make the trip to face Middlesbrough.
