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Albion yet to decide on derby role
Friday 17th December 2010, 2:00PM GMT.
Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has revealed a striker role is still up for grabs for Sunday’s Black Country derby showdown with Wolves.
But the head coach insisted his team can beat the Molineux men without injured leading scorer Peter Odemwingie.
Ishmael Miller, Marc-Antoine Fortune and Somen Tchoyi are still battling for the right to replace Odemwingie, with Di Matteo yet to decide on his team for derby day.
Odemwingie remains a major doubt for Sunday’s clash and Di Matteo has challenged his forwards to prove themselves in tomorrow’s final pre-match training session.
He said: “I haven’t got the answer yet but I’ve been trying out a few options without Peter. He hasn’t been involved with us and it’s now Friday, so it is very doubtful he’ll be ready for Sunday.
“We’re very much aware of the need for firepower but we’ve won games without Peter Odemwingie too. We know have to be more clinical in front of goal.
“When we get an opportunity we must take the chance, because we know in the Premier League the other team can have two chances and score two goals.”
Di Matteo is confident his team are in the right frame of mind ahead of the first top-flight Black Country derby in 26 years.
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.”
Di Matteo is likely to have a clean bill of health for Sunday’s game apart from the injuries to Odemwingie and vice-captain Jonas Olsson (Achilles).
The Baggies boss said: “We’ve got a few issues. Graham Dorrans has been ill for a few days and he’s a bit better today but he hasn’t been at his best.
“Paul Scharner has missed training for two days because of an ongoing leg problem but he was training today.”
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