Head coach Steve Clarke insists the size of West Brom’s squad means striker Peter Odemwingie has to remain part of his plans despite his latest Twitter outburst.
Clarke is upset that the continuing controversy surrounding Odemwingie is overshadowing the Baggies’ success this season in challenging for a European spot.
The social networking of the Nigerian international was again raised with Clarke at his media press conference ahead of Saturday’s away clash with West Ham.
Odemwingie complained on Twitter after the goalless draw at Stoke about being out of the starting line-up after being on the substitute’s bench for the last four games.
He also hinted team-mates were talking about him behind his back, and conceded “his wish” was to be sacked.
It followed on from his previous social networking attacks during January after having a transfer request rejected and his failure to secure a deadline day move to QPR.
But Clarke conceded: “At the moment, because of the size of the squad that I’ve got, Peter has to be part of this squad.
“He’s in the squad to travel to West Ham.”
Albion are challenging for a second successive finish in the Barclays Premier League in Clarke’s first season in charge.
But the Scot claimed: “We spend so much time talking about Peter Odemwingie, and all it does is deflect away from everything this squad has achieved this season.
“It’s been a great season for West Bromwich Albion and this is what we should be talking about.
“That’s my view as the head coach of this group of players. I want to talk about the rest of the players and not one player.”
As regards how Odemwingie will be received by the players after his Twitter outburst, Clarke said: “The dressing room is good, they’ll sort out their own problems.”
Clarke admits he is “fed up” of talking about Odemwingie when asked about his latest comments on Twitter.
He said: “I haven’t made very much of it. I don’t read Twitter. I understand there were some more comments on Twitter.
“I told Richard Garlick (sporting and technical director) and the club to deal with it in the manner they see fit.
“I think if he (Odemwingie) has got something to say to me, he should come and say it to my face.
“I haven’t got anything to say to him. If he’s got anything to say to me, he should come and say it to my face. He is the one who has the grievance, not me.
“But I’m not interested in what he said. The club will deal with that side of it.”
When asked about the behaviour of one of his “leading players?”, Clarke said: “Sorry, he’s what? He is one of my players. That’s it, he is one of my players.
“Are the club taking extra action? I don’t know because Richard has been off ill. He hasn’t been in.”