Di Matteo's warning to Odemwingie

Former Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo has claimed top scorer Peter Odemwingie faces a "tough" challenge to repeat his stunning debut Premier League season.

The Italian, who was boss when Odemwingie arrived at the Hawthorns for £2million, believes the Nigeria international has his work cut out to repeat last season's 15-goal haul.

Odemwingie is in talks over an extended contract, after his performances played a major part in the 11th-place finish.

That was aided by some good early-season displays under Di Matteo, who was placed on gardening leave in February following a dismal run of results.

He said: "Peter Odemwingie was one of the main reasons they've done so well.

"We found him in Russia at Lokomotiv Moscow and it was one of those where you get a DVD, like a player, do some research and it works out. It was credit to our scouting network.

"I think he has had a great season and obviously we saw all the goals he scored. It will be difficult to top that.

"He is a great player, he works very hard for the team, is always in the top three for distance covered and works for everybody.

"I hope he can do it again because he's a great personality, a great character and enthusiastic but it will tough for him."

Di Matteo has hardly spoken since issuing a statement the day after leaving the club to express his disappointment at the board's decision.

But today the 41-year-old thanked the Baggies for giving him the job in 2009 and, after winning promotion from the Championship in his only full season at the helm, insisted he could still have led them to safety.

He said: "I've been very grateful to the club. They gave me an opportunity, a chance. The players were magnificent and very good to me.

"We had a good season and were still in the running to retain our status in the Premier League.

"But when decisions are made you have to accept them. We had some good results but that's life, that's football.

"We were very confident that we had the players to stay up."