Steve Clarke has told striker Peter Odemwingie he will be given the chance to prove his worth to West Brom before the end of the season.
The Nigeria international has featured only sparingly since being disciplined by the Premier League club for his transfer deadline day antics when he attempted to push through a move to Queens Park Rangers.
Odemwingie drove to London and was interviewed outside Loftus Road discussing his desire to join QPR, only for the deal to embarrassingly fall through.
The former Lokomotiv Moscow man has made just five substitute appearances since, but could be handed an opportunity to win over the club's fans in Saturday's home date with struggling Wigan.
Clarke told reporters: "He wants the chance to play and that opportunity will come again before the end of the season.
"Peter's not been frozen out, I don't do that to my players."
Clarke also launched a scathing attack on TV presenter and Baggies fan Adrian Chiles, who made derogatory comments about Odemwingie at the club's official awards dinner.
He added: "It was out of order and a ridiculous comment to make. I didn't like it. I didn't say anything about it at the time, but I'm saying it now - it was a stupid comment.
"It doesn't change our season, it was a throwaway line from somebody who should know better. Peter's one of my players and I've said it all season, I protect my players fiercely, that's why I didn't like it."
The Nigeria international has featured only sparingly since being disciplined by the Premier League club for his transfer deadline day antics when he attempted to push through a move to Queens Park Rangers.
Odemwingie drove to London and was interviewed outside Loftus Road discussing his desire to join QPR, only for the deal to embarrassingly fall through.
The former Lokomotiv Moscow man has made just five substitute appearances since, but could be handed an opportunity to win over the club's fans in Saturday's home date with struggling Wigan.
Clarke told reporters: "He wants the chance to play and that opportunity will come again before the end of the season.
"Peter's not been frozen out, I don't do that to my players."
Clarke also launched a scathing attack on TV presenter and Baggies fan Adrian Chiles, who made derogatory comments about Odemwingie at the club's official awards dinner.
He added: "It was out of order and a ridiculous comment to make. I didn't like it. I didn't say anything about it at the time, but I'm saying it now - it was a stupid comment.
"It doesn't change our season, it was a throwaway line from somebody who should know better. Peter's one of my players and I've said it all season, I protect my players fiercely, that's why I didn't like it."
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