Steve Clarke has urged West Bromwich Albion fans to put their anger on hold if controversial striker Peter Odemwingie makes his Baggies comeback on Saturday.Soccer – Barclays Premier League – West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa – The Hawthorns Boss Clarke is weighing up whether to use the Nigeria international in the Premier League meeting with Sunderland for the first time since his January fall-out with the club.And the Hawthorns head coach has called on fans to put any grievance with the 31-year-old to one side and throw their support behind the Baggies.
“I understand some of them might not want to forgive Peter quickly but when they go to the stadium all I ask is that they support the team,” said Clarke.
“If Peter scores a hat-trick and they choose not to celebrate Peter’s goals then they should celebrate the fact that the team have scored.
“All we can ask is that the supporters support the team and don’t allow their feelings over one player to override the fact that the support has been great this year, home and away.
“All we ask is for the same level of support no matter who gets selected, as they are representing the club.”
But Clarke refused to be drawn on whether Odemwingie will definitely figure against the Black Cats.
He travelled to Liverpool for the club’s last match but did not even make the bench despite agreeing a peace deal three days earlier.
He angered the Baggies and sections of the club’s support during January by handing in a transfer request and becoming embroiled in a Twitter row with some fans, before driving to QPR on deadline day in the hope of forcing a deal Clarke said: “I’ve got 20 players available and he’ll be involved with the 20 players.
“It’s the same situation as we had at Anfield and he’ll be under consideration just like the rest of players.
“Selection for the final 18 will depend on how training goes, how I see the game and how I feel the best way to approach the game is.
“Peter is available for selection. We’ve had a couple of little chats but nothing in-depth and he knows the situation.
“He knows he needs to work hard and he has to be ready for his opportunity when it comes and, for sure, it will come because we only carry a small squad.”
