Graham Dorrans assured of future

Tuesday 26th October 2010, 10:59AM BST.

Graham Dorrans
Graham Dorrans

Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans has been assured he still has a role to play in the Premier League as he prepared to stake his claim in the Carling Cup.

The Scotland international, who will start in the last-16 clash at Leicester tonight, has found himself a virtual spectator during the Baggies’ flying start to the season despite his starring role in promotion from the Championship.

But assistant head coach Eddie Newton today insisted last season’s Player of the Year will play his part in the current campaign despite losing his place to the trio of Youssouf Mulumbu, Paul Scharner and James Morrison.

Newton said: “It is testament to our squad that he isn’t in the team. We want competition all over the place and ‘Dozza’ will come to the fore sooner or later.

“We have been talking to him and he will get there. He just needs to get his head down and slowly but surely it will come, but everyone who is in the first team at the weekend is there on merit as far as we are concerned.

“It will be a test for him but every player goes through this. All players have spells where they are made to sit on the bench and they are not used to doing it.

“Dozza is still at the very beginning of his career and he has gone up to another level now. He is going to have to get his head down, work it out and you only get out what you put in.

“He is of that frame of mind anyway. He is very introverted, works very hard and it will come for him.

“I’ve got all the confidence in the world of that because he is an extremely talented player.”

Albion are also awaiting news of scans on Jonas Olsson (Achilles) and Marc-Antoine Fortune (ankle) with both set to miss out tonight.

But striker Peter Odemwingie hopes to resume training in the next few days after his knee problem.

Newton said: “Peter’s doing well and we’re hoping we’ll see him in training in the next couple of weeks, but we are erring on the side of caution.

“We’d rather keep him out a little bit longer to ensure he’s right and have him playing for a longer period than bringing him back too early, seeing him break down again and losing him for a longer period.”


  1. 1
    Wbaforever

    As far as i am concerned this is a non story, based on the probability of journalistic licence to “rock the boat” a little.

    They wouldn`t ask loaded questions would they ?
    surely not.

    To suggest that Graham Dorrans needs reassurance of his future after 8 games and his well chronicled family berevement, is too ridiculous for words.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    astleistheking

    It comes to something when Dozza can’t get in the first team. Morrison is improving dramatically every game and Mulumbo is concrete first choice every game. Shcarner is the only player I would consider dropping to give GD his chance. He will prove it tonight and hopefully get a goal to set him off.

    Look forward to Man Utd in the next round!

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    santa

    Show’s what terrific depth we have in the squad doesn’t it.A player of G.D’s calibre would fly into any team in the Prem,and i mean anyteam.He will get his chanceno doubt,but it will be at the expence of an injury to one of our other M.F’s and that’ isn’t what we want.So Dorrans will just have to wait and be patient,but his time will come and he will take it with feet.It will then be up to the stricken player to get back in.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Baggieno1

    its only been a couple a months since West Ham had bids knocked back and Dozza signed a new improved deal,so as far as i’m concerned its a nothing story as he must be settled at the club or he would’nt of signed the new deal,looking forward to him grabbing a couple of goals tonite,bring on man ure next round….BOING BOING

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    james

    odemwingie back in training in the next few weeks or days? says both, hoping the latter is a typo.

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Nottm Baggie

    I see TM’s been named as Boro Boss…I suppose he’ll come looking at what he can get on loan or on a permanant deal. Someone mentioned earlier about RDM & ‘bigger’ clubs coming sniffing around well look no further than TM & Co…the grass ain’t always greener but thanks for the £2m compo!! We’ve had an incredibble start but the proof will be if RDM can maintain this run & establish WBA where we belong in the ‘Top Flight’

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    Glad to see that PO is not being rushed. Just shows that we have no need of crisis management due to our squad strength.

    On the Wolves side an unfortunate story that Michael Kightly is to undergo another operation. I seem to remember his problems started when he was rushed back too soon and he’s never really recovered. Our old friend BrummierobWolves comments symathetically, ‘A little concerned but to be honest now Hunt is back he’s not needed.’ I’m sure and I hope he doesn’t mean it the way it sounds.

    Seriously though, there are other Wolves fans that point out that the story has been misrepresented to sound worse than it is. I think this backs up Forevers point at No 1. That for the media putting the bad news spin is always preferable to good news.

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    JACK the HAT.

    E&S,
    Is not Dorrans in the ALBION squad?. Our squad IS the first team, all of our players are highly regarded by all ALBION fans. Pity we are allowed to only play eleven at any one time. That is why I reasoned a while back, There should be seven on the subs bench, with five being used during the match.
    We could have full flowing football right up to the final whistle.
    Glad to hear T Mowbray is back in the saddle.

    BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    Cyril Randle

    Well, Mowbray got to his dream club by a roundabout route, but he got there in the end.
    I hope he succeeds as I have forgiven him walking out on us after impressing loyalty on the players he left behind. Middlesbrough will enjoy the ride, of that I’m sure because, at the time, we did. Silverware and two Wembley visits gave us and the players something to remember. I shall look out for their results.

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Cyril Randle

    Ooops ! Never mentioned the Dorrans story.
    Story ? What story?

    Report abuse



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