West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan hopes his side's pre-season "difficulties" could end up making the Championship club stronger.
After doing well to navigate another challenging season in 2023-24 to finish in the play-offs, Albion ended up getting well beaten by Southampton in the semi-final second leg.
But, having come under new ownership in February, when American businessman Shilen Patel took over, Corberan had already been warned that the damage done under the previous ownership is still hurting the club and that he would find his summer spending plans limited.
Although Corberan has so far brought in seven players, including the first fee paid since he became Albion boss, the Baggies will start Saturday's opening game against Queens Park Rangers without 13 of the players who were in the 20-man squad at St Mary's in May.