So what the hell happened to him?
Well ...we've tracked the bugger down ... West Brom have handed Barnes an 18-month contract, with an option for a further one-year extension.
The 21-year-old playmaker moves to The Hawthorns as a free agent, having been released by Derby in December.
He had been training with the Baggies throughout January and finally convinced Roberto Di Matteo that he is worthy of a permanent stay.
Ah well, Keegan will be happy.