Baggies sweat on Odemwingie

When last we met...

The Press Association: Baggies sweat on Odemwingie

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie is continuing to battle an ankle injury ahead of the crunch Barclays Premier League clash with Blackpool on Saturday.

The Baggies will attempt to end a six-match losing streak at The Hawthorns this weekend but they may have to do so without their leading scorer. Odemwingie needed an injection ahead of West Brom's last league game against Fulham eight days ago and missed the 1-0 FA Cup defeat by Reading last weekend, and he has not trained this week.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo told www.wba.co.uk: "Peter twisted his ankle so he is not training and we will have to see how he develops this week. He played with an injection in the Fulham game, with credit to him."

...West Brom could also be without Ishmael Miller and Pablo Ibanez, who both have hamstring problems, while Jonas Olsson will serve a one-match ban.

This game seems like a high-scoring one, and without Odemwingie the Baggies may turn to Tchoyi (listed as a midfielder) to play center forward.

Somen Tchoyi surprise for the derby

Somen Tchoyi surprise for the derby « Express & Star

Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo could spring a major Black Country derby surprise by fielding Somen Tchoyi as a stand-in striker.

The head coach is considering moving the Cameroon international up front, who today gave a vote of confidence to under-fire forward Marc-Antoine Fortune.

Di Matteo looks set to be without leading scorer Peter Odemwingie for Sunday’s clash with Wolves and Tchoyi, who has played as a central striker for previous clubs, could be switched from his normal wide role.

He said: “It’s something we’ve looked at. The only issue is that I haven’t actually had a chance to try it out in pre-season or anywhere else.”

I don't know that it's that much of a surprise, but it could be interesting news for fantasy managers. We've been on Tchoyi for a few weeks now, and at 8.21, listed as a middie and home to Wolves... VERY TEMPTING.

Update: Just to note that this week, I'd rather Tchoyi were listed as a forward.  With the likes of Brunt, MGP, Nasri, etc already great bets in midfield, I'm actually having a harder time finding forwards that I'm excited about.  Sic semper.

Baggies duo doubtful for Villa clash

Dangerous game, football

Baggies duo doubtful for Villa clash - Yahoo! Eurosport

Here we go again.

West Brom's leading scorer Peter Odemwingie and key midfielder Chris Brunt are battling to be fit for Saturday's away derby clash with struggling Aston Villa...

But the Nigeria international - on target six times this season - has been unable to train this week with a groin problem suffered during the game.

Brunt, who has been the subject of speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool, has also had a groin injury in recent weeks and has also been unable to play a full part in training.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo confirmed: "We have some problems. Odemwingie hasn't trained this week yet. He has got a groin problem. If he manages to train [on Friday], we have a chance. We have to wait and see how he is going to be.

"Chris Brunt had to miss some training sessions so we just have to manage him and Peter and hope they will be available for Saturday."

It seems like this is going to be the "news" every week for a while. Brunt has had the groin injury since the last international break but has been able to play in the matches. So I'm not worried about him. The Odemwingie injury seems new - as in recent, and different from his last knee injury - and will bear close scrutiny. Somen Tchoyi may be a good bet this weekend if Odemwingie can't make it. Tchoyi may be a good bet regardless, to be honest.