Steve Clarke in no rush on Graham Dorrans' West Brom future

Albion boss Steve Clarke today insisted talks on Graham Dorrans' Hawthorns future can wait until the end of the season.

moreThe Scotland international is back in the Baggies' first-team mix just three months after requesting a move because of a lack of match action.

And Clarke insisted he is in no rush to resolve the 25-year-old's long-term future – but admitted his delight at Dorrans' contribution since their frank discussions before Christmas.

"Graham is in a good place," said Clarke. "He's happy, he's comfortable, he wants to play and he's had chances to play.

"We haven't spoken any more about his future since we had the chat in December.

"He wasn't in the team earlier in the season but that's a problem many players have.

"Some accept it, and some deal with it better than others.

"Graham has done well," added the head coach.

"We had a chat before Christmas and we said then that if an offer came up in January that suited Graham and the club we would consider it.

"Nothing did come up and since then he's knuckled down."

Dorrans expressed a wish to leave The Hawthorns after another difficult season that began with his young daughter in hospital with meningitis.

That scare damaged his first-team prospects after a series of injuries in previous seasons left him unable to recapture the form that helped the Baggies to promotion in 2010.

But Clarke insists he never doubted the former Livingston man's ability to play his part.

"I told him back in December that he still had an important part to play for the team and I think that's proved to be the case as the season has gone on," said Clarke.

"He had a little problem with his family but it wasn't a big issue football-wise.

"Everything has been good since then and everyone is fit and healthy."