Roy Hodgson: Peter Odemwingie is not for sale

Published Nov 7, 2016

Last updated Dec 5, 2011

Albion boss Roy Hodgson today insisted he has no plans to sell Peter Odemwingie in January.

The Nigeria international laid on the Baggies' equaliser as a substitute in a 1-1 win at QPR after a fortnight of tension over his injured knee.

And Hodgson dismissed suggestions the 30-year-old could be allowed to leave next month after reports last week linked him with Saturday's opponents.

"I take any rumours with a serious pinch of salt," said Hodgson. "Unless an offer lands on the desk of Jeremy Peace or Dan Ashworth then I dismiss it as speculation.

"We are definitely not looking to sell Peter Odemwingie. If anything we're looking to add to the squad.

"Certainly I don't envisage PO going anywhere. We didn't make him our highest paid player so we could sell him. We did so because we want his goals to keep us in the league."

Odemwingie made an impact in his 25-minute outing on Saturday after a fortnight that saw Hodgson express frustration at the striker's injury absence. And the Baggies boss believes Odemwingie's fitness problems are behind him.

"Peter is fit," said Hodgson. "He has trained for the last 10 days. What Peter needs is match experience and confidence."

Albion today welcomed United States international defender Tim Ream for training after the New York Red Bulls man arrived in England at the weekend. He will spend a week with the Baggies before training with Bolton.