West Brom vs Tottenham preview - Odemwingie out again

Posted Sunday, February 03, 2013 by PA

West Brom will again be without striker Peter Odemwingie for Sunday's game with Tottenham after his hopes of a proposed move to QPR failed to materialise.

The Nigerian international was not considered for Wednesday's game at Everton after his new-born son was readmitted to hospital, but misses out now due to the fall-out from his attempt to move to Loftus Road.

Youssouf Mulumbu is available after returning to The Hawthorns from African Nations Cup duty following DR Congo's exit, but fellow midfielder George Thorne is ruled out with a knee injury.

Clarke has not written off the Nigeria frontman's chances of playing for Albion again, although he is not being considered for the Spurs game.

He said: "Myself, Peter, board members Dan Ashworth and Richard Garlick had a meeting and that is the start of the process.

"Peter is not in the right frame of mind to be involved this weekend and he has been given permission to go back home.

"He will then come back when we decide the time is right for him to start training.

"There always has to be a way back. There are examples of high-profile cases where there has been a way back.

"It won't happen overnight but he is part of my squad and hopefully we will get to a situation some time in the future where there is a resolution and Peter can help West Brom.

"Has he played his last game for the club? As I sit here now, I can't say for sure he hasn't played his last game for the club. But I don't think he has played his last game for the club."

Clarke accepts it will be a gradual process to reintegrate the player back into his plans.

He said: "Everyone makes mistakes in life and you have to try to recover as best as you can.

"Maybe he has to apologise first, then he has to get back into the squad and show the team he is willing to help them. I sensed remorse when I spoke to him.

"I have had a good relationship with Peter and this will test it a little but I'm hopeful going forward we will continue to have that."

Striker Jermain Defoe has been passed fit for Tottenham's game at West Brom on Sunday after overcoming his niggling pelvic injury.

Midfielder Tom Huddlestone (leg) is also fit, but striker Emmanuel Adebayor (African Nations Cup), defender Younes Kaboul (knee) and midfielder Sandro (knee) are all out.

Striker Harry Kane goes back in to the squad following his recall from a loan spell at Norwich while midfielder Lewis Holtby could make his full debut following his transfer from Schalke.

Tottenham are looking to return to winning ways against West Brom following a disappointing week in which they drew at Norwich after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Leeds.

"We were very disappointed with the FA Cup exit," boss Andre Villas-Boas said.

"We wanted to get back to winning ways at Norwich. It was not the result we were looking for.

"We want to get back to winning ways. It has been a while since we won and as this run drags on you become more committed to getting the win."