Albion defender Shelton Martis today blamed early-season burn-out for his axing from the Baggies team, writes Steve Madeley.

The Dutchman believes the shock of regular football at the start of the season led to a loss of form that saw him dropped after a horror-show at Barnsley.

Martis is fighting to get back into the first team after starting the first 10 League games of the season before suffering a loss of form. “I’m not too sure why it happened but I think it may be down to the fact that since I’ve been at the club I hadn’t played that many games.

“Then at the start of this season I played so many games in a row and maybe that made me a bit tired, both mentally and physically. It might have all caught up with me. Only the manager knows why he picks the teams he does.

“Maybe he also felt that I had lost that bit of sharpness. The only thing I can do is work hard and try my best to get back in the team.

“I’ve spoken with the manager and he’s explained what the situation is and told me what I need to do to get back in the team.

“There are five or six centre-backs and all of them are fit. Last year we had a couple of injuries so I was able to nick a couple of games but this year all the places are taken.

“Competition is always good because it keeps everybody sharp and there’s always somebody willing to take your place.”