West Brom players told to forget leaving

West Brom boss Steve Clarke has told all his players to forget about January transfers after holding talks with Queens Park Rangers target Peter Odemwingie.

Clarke spoke to Odemwingie yesterday amid continued speculation over a move to Loftus Road.

And the Hawthorns head coach insisted his players are in no doubt that they will not be sold this month.

The Baggies have turned down a £2million offer for Odemwingie – and a £5million bid for defender Jonas Olsson – from Rangers.

But the Express & Star understands the Nigeria striker would be interested in speaking to the Premier League strugglers.

However, Clarke said: "I had a good chat with him about his situation and all Peter wanted to do was talk about the game with Villa.

"There is no indication that he is even thinking about the bid. Everybody's been told that nobody is going out.

"Clubs are entitled to make bids for a player if they do it through the correct channels, which QPR did.

"But it's easy for us to say no and the players know the situation.

"The number of times I have to say 'I don't want anybody to leave our club in the January window and we don't have to sell anybody' is incredible.

"But I will repeat that we don't have to, we don't want to and we're not too far away from the end of the window.

"My only focus is making sure we get our season back on track against Villa."

Odemwingie is expected to play against Villa unless his wife, Sarah, goes into labour. Their first child is already overdue.