Hodgson puts boot into sicknote striker

West Brom boss Roy Hodgson has blasted Peter Odemwingie and claimed the club have “got nothing out of him” since the striker penned a new deal.

Odemwingie, 30, had a sensational debut Premier League season last year, scoring 15 goals after a bargain switch from Lokomotiv Moscow.

Albion then made the forward their biggest earner in the summer on £35,000 a week to fend off strong interest from Wigan.

The Nigeria international has since only started seven games for the Baggies and scored just two goals.

And Hodgson’s patience is wearing very thin at Odemwingie’s on-going injury problems.

“I’m frustrated, because we’ve got nothing out of him. It’s been one problem after another," he moaned.

“For a player who we really put so much into, in the hope he will be the one who will be our major force for staying in the Premier League, we have not had much of a return.

“When you sign that contract and accept a lot more money following a good season, you accept the club thinks you’re the man.”

Odemwingie has been affected by a succession of minor injuries and aches this season.

But Hodgson claimed other players, such as Zoltan Gera, Shane Long, Steven Reid and Jerome Thomas, have played through knocks and been more committed.

“We have a lot of players at the club who will play when not fully fit," said the manager.

“That’s what makes it even harder when you get a player who is frustrated - or is frustrating - as it gets highlighted more when you’ve got the likes of the Geras, the Longs, the Reids and the Thomases, who play through pain every week.

“So you don’t want your star players out for months with injuries. Your star players need to be available.”

Exasperated Hodgson admitted he is unsure if Odemwingie will be fit for Tottenham’s visit on Saturday after sustaining a knee injury in training.

“Peter is difficult to work out – you’d have to speak to the doctor about him," he said.

“This is still the same problem he’s had for a month.

"He was supposed to be fit for the Arsenal game but wasn’t. Then he was definitely going to be fit for the Bolton game, but wasn’t.

“And he is supposed to be fit for the Tottenham game and now there’s a doubt about that, too.

"So I take any optimism with a pinch of salt.

“He didn’t take part in many of the pre-season matches and hasn’t taken part in many of the matches since.”

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Season                           2011-12      2010-11

Appearances                              8                32

Minutes On Pitch                    573           2,682

Goals                                          2                15

Mins per goal                           87              179

Shots On Target                         7                42

Shots Off Target                         5                41

Shooting Accuracy                  58%              51%

Chance Conversion                 17%              18%

Assists                                        0                  7

Chances created                         8                57

Mins per chance created           72               47

Total Passes                            176              810

Pass Completion %                    78                78

Dribbles & Runs                        27              117

Dribble Completion %                33               48