Odemwingie doubt for derby clash

Posted Sunday, December 19, 2010 by PA

West Brom's leading scorer Peter Odemwingie is a major doubt for Sunday's Black Country derby with Wolves at the Hawthorns.

The Nigeria international, on target six times this season, has been unable to train since last Friday because of calf and groin problems.

Midfielder Graham Dorrans was unable to train earlier in the week because of illness but is expected to be fit to face Mick McCarthy's side.

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo has hailed the impact of winger Jerome Thomas - after snatching him from under the noses of Wolves.

Thomas underwent a trial at Molineux during the summer of 2009 and played in a friendly against MK Dons when he picked up a hamstring injury.

Wolves decided they wanted another look at the player before deciding whether to sign him but Di Matteo stepped in with a three-year contract offer.

Thomas repaid the faith shown in him by playing a key part in the Baggies gaining promotion back to the Barclays Premier League.

He has continued the same form this season and will look to help the Baggies reach the 25-point mark by Christmas with victory over Wolves.

But Di Matteo is also looking for more goal-power from Thomas.

The Baggies head coach told Press Association Sport: "Jerome played the pre-season before last at Wolves but we showed faith in him.

"He had an injury history but we showed faith. He had a great season for us last year and scored some great goals.

"He hasn't scored as many so far in the Premier League as I expected him to.

"I think he needs to improve on that side but he's been a great signing for us and made a significant contribution."

Albion have impressed with their passing style since returning to the top flight and earned plaudits for winning at Arsenal and drawing away to Manchester United.

Di Matteo recognises the passion that will be required in a derby but does not want his players to change their overall philosophy.

He said: "The players are very much aware that Wolves are our biggest rivals in the region.

"But we need to play our game and make sure we don't go out and do something completely different.

"We've come so far with our philosophy with the way we want to play and win games.

"It was no consolation last weekend when we played well and lost at Aston Villa when we deserved at least a point.

"But I believe if we keep performing and playing like that, it will get us results."

Wolves striker Kevin Doyle will miss the game after it was revealed he has a tear in his thigh.

Winger Matt Jarvis may play after recovering from a sore knee, while Christophe Berra should start after shaking off injuries obtained when he ran into a goalpost during the team's win over Birmingham.

Stephen Hunt has shaken off a virus and is available, while Dave Jones is in contention after recovering from a foot injury. Steven Mouyokolo (back) and Michael Mancienne (knee) and Karl Henry (knee) remain out.

Wolves manager McCarthy believes modern derby matches are pale imitations of the "blood and thunder" encounters he played in.

Sunday's Black Country derby is the first in the top flight of English football for more than a quarter of a century.

But while McCarthy admits fans will still see it as the biggest game of the year, he insists it does not hold the kind of significance it did for players of his generation.

He said: "We all know the importance of derbies, but go through both of our teams and see where they're all from, see if there's anyone from Telford or Compton or Wednesfield.

"See how many have dyed in the wool gold and black blood.

"When I played up in Glasgow, they were all from there. There's something else to it.

"I think players are different. They don't come from the locale. They have the same desire in every game.

"Because it's a derby it's increased a bit more because they know how important it is to the club and to the fans."

McCarthy believes the way the game is refereed now prevents the kind of tackling that used to be synonymous with derby matches.

He added: "Can you remember derbies when I played, Manchester City versus United, or Celtic against Rangers, 150 years ago?

"You could tackle and when you got tackled you picked yourself up and got on with it.

"They were blood-and-thunder derbies. In a derby you could say 'Have some of that', pick him up, whisper in his ear 'You're getting another one' and you got away with it.

"You can't do it now. The game has changed considerably."