Pepe Mel: Saido Berahino has big part to play for West Brom

West Brom boss Pepe Mel today insisted Saido Berahino has a big part to play in the club's survival fight despite the young striker courting more controversy on Twitter.

Berahino appeared to call his Hawthorns future into question by 'favouriting' a tweet from ex-Baggies forward Peter Odemwingie suggesting he should leave in the summer.

And the youngster then sent out a cryptic tweet of his own – before deleting it after around an hour – appearing to continue the debate over his dressing-room bust-up with team-mate James Morrison on Saturday.

But Mel, speaking for the first time about the incident that left Berahino nursing a minor head wound, said: "This week he's worked exceptionally well in training and I am very impressed with his positive reaction and what this says for the future.

"In addition to being an excellent player he is also very intelligent. He has shown this in training and I am certain he is going to help us in the next game.

"I've spoken to him throughout the week. He is very positive. He will be extremely important to us in final seven games."

The tweet that Berahino deleted read: "A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly – Proverb-14-25."

Fans on Twitter interpreted the tweet as a reference to the scuffle with Morrison after Berahino handed Cardiff possession and allowed the Welsh club to equalise in the final seconds of Saturday's 3-3 draw.

Berahino was bombarded with critical replies before he removed the post from his account.

On the dressing-room incident, Mel said: "It was simply 18 young sports players who, after losing two points, were very disappointed.

"It's normal that they argue amongst themselves, but then they have a few beers afterwards and it's all over.

"I prefer to have players who are cross when they win rather than players who go home and watch television and are fine with it."