Albion ignored in PFA nominations

Assistant boss Michael Appleton is happy for Albion's star men to remain 'under the radar' after they were ignored in the PFA Awards nominations.

The annual PFA shortlist included two players from struggling clubs in Blackpool playmaker Charlie Adam and West Ham's England midfielder Scott Parker.

But Albion's 10-goal leading scorer Peter Odemwingie and midfield revelation Youssouf Mulumbu were not included – and Appleton has called for the Hawthorns' finest to remain low-profile.

He said: "With someone like Charlie Adam there was a lot of media speculation about whether he was going to stay at Blackpool or to go a big club.

"The media coverage he has had this season has been far greater than maybe someone like Youssouf, Peter or Chris Brunt. The more media-led a player is, the higher profile he has as a player and person.

"But we have been delighted with our players mentioned and I'm sure Blackpool are delighted with the season Charlie Adam has had.

"Scott Parker has had a fantastic season playing in a side that is struggling at the wrong end of the division.

"We've had attention in the past with the likes of Brunt and, more so, at the start of this season with Graham Dorrans after the success he had last season.

"So we are quite happy for the players to get their own little success in and around the club. Ultimately we want to keep all the players and don't want to have to sell them to so-called bigger clubs.

"Hopefully they're going to kick this club on and make this club bigger and better than it is already."

Odemwingie has enjoyed an impressive debut season in the Premier League with 10 goals to his name, despite a series of minor injury lay-offs.

And Appleton is backing the Nigeria international to add to his tally before the end of the season.

The Albion no 2 said: "Peter has got himself into double figures and we've still got seven games to go, which are important game. I'm sure he's set himself a mini-target about what he might be able to achieve over the next seven games.

"I think, more importantly, if we get the same work-rate we have had over the last three or four games he will create chances for other people, even if he doesn't score for himself."