Clarke: Odemwingie will play

West Brom manager Steve Clarke insists Peter Odemwingie still has a part to play for the Baggies this season.

Last Updated: 12/02/13 at 16:28 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top Half Finish 12/13 Top Half Finish: West Brom 1/20

Peter Odemwingie: Striker watched action at Anfield

Peter Odemwingie: Striker watched action at Anfield

The 31-year-old striker angered the Baggies by travelling to London on deadline day in January to discuss a move to QPR despite no fee having been agreed between the clubs.

The Nigeria international was disciplined by Albion and has not featured in the first team since but travelled with the squad on Monday to watch their 2-0 win over Liverpool.

He was also involved with the team in the pre-match build-up at Anfield and Clarke hopes to see him back playing soon.

"Peter makes his contribution and will make a contribution in the season going forward," said Clarke.

"He was in the dressing room (on Monday), he was delighted for his team-mates and was there to support them and help them. It is all part of what being part of a squad about."

West Brom scored twice in the last 10 minutes through Gareth McAuley and Romelu Lukaku to take the points at Anfield after Steven Gerrard had missed a penalty for the home side.

Clarke praised midfield trio Youssouf Mulumbu, Claudio Yacob and James Morrison for their contribution.

"It is the first time in a number of weeks I've had the luxury of being able to pick Mulumbu, Claudio Yacob and James Morrison in the same midfield," he said. "When they are together and everyone is doing their jobs properly we are a good team and deserve to be in the top eight."

The Baggies boss also paid testimony to strikers Shane Long and Lukaku, who is on loan this season from Chelsea.

"They are a good combination. When they play together they play well but when I have my three midfield players in there it is difficult to play both," he said.

"Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions and in recent weeks Rom, for a 19-year-old, has been carrying a lot of weight up front. So it was nice to give him a breather and the chance to come into the game to do what he did.

"Rom did well but he got the benefit of the hard work of Shane Long, who put in a hell of a shift. He came on when the game was open - we knew Liverpool would come chasing the game and we could pick them off - and fortunately for the first time this year it worked."

Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Top Half Finish 12/13 Top Half Finish: West Brom 1/20

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

I

m starting to think Roman may never actually be happy at the top level. If he wants all conquering fancy football I wonder if he'd be better off buying a lower division side then paying outlandish salaries to attract high caliber players too good for the division.

john matrix
The Most Unsatisfying European Victory...

R

afa has to be favourite for the Everton job now, surely :) He'll realise his ambition to live and work on Merseyside again, get the best out of whoever plays for them, maybe win some cups and be thoroughly loathed by the toffee fans. What's not to like? Go ead, Ken, gimajob!

captbusby
Benitez basks in final glory

Footer 365

Alan Pardew confident he will still be Newcastle manager next season

Alan Pardew is 'pretty confident' he will stay as Newcastle manager after ending the season with a defeat by Arsenal.

Michael Owen had mixed emotions after his final appearance for Stoke

Retiring Stoke striker Michael Owen admitted he had mixed emotions after his final appearance for the club.

Premier League: Paul Lambert says 'something is happening' at Aston Villa

Paul Lambert refused to answer questions about the future of Darren Bent following Aston Villa's 2-2 draw at Wigan.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved