Salomon Rondon left out of Venezuela team

Rondon is his country's star striker and usually leads the line for his national team.

But the 26-year-old was not even named in the 20-man squad for the 4-2 defeat in Bolivia.

He is expected to play in Tuesday's home game with Ecuador.

It is understood that Venezuela coach Noel Sanvicente rested Rondon and some other leading players for the high altitude game in Bolivia in order to keep them fresh for the Ecuador game.

Sanvicente's team are currently bottom of the South American 2018 World Cup qualifying group and a 33-man squad was called up to deal with both fixtures.

Resting Rondon for the first game and playing him in the second one may not be well received back in England by Albion boss Tony Pulis.

The Welshman has criticised the impact of international breaks on his players all season.

He's been particularly unhappy with Rondon's constant return trips to South America and the affect such long journeys have on his £12 million summer signing.

Pulis had been looking forward to finally having a long period of uninterrupted time with Rondon.

The striker himself has admitted the flying takes its toll.

"All of the travelling is difficult though because it is normally a 12-hour journey and then we are spending another three hours waiting in the airports," he said.

"It messes up your sleep with all the different time zones."

Elsewhere, Stephane Sessegnon has been on target for Benin.

The Albion midfielder captained his country and scored from the penalty spot in their 2-1 victory over Burkina Faso.

That win gives Benin an upper hand going into the second leg of the World Cup qualifier to be played in Burkina Faso on Tuesday.

Albion winger James McClean came on around the hour mark in the Republic of Ireland's 1-1 draw away at Bosnia and Herzegovina last night.

Robbie Brady gave the Irish the lead in the 81st minute of the first leg of the European Championship play-off match before Edin Dzeko equalised for the Bosnians just three minutes afterwards.

Gareth McAuley and Jonny Evans both played 90 minutes for Northern Ireland in their 1-0 friendly win over Latvia in Belfast.

James Chester also played 90 minutes for Wales in their 3-2 defeat in Cardiff at the hands of the Netherlands.

And academy starlet Jonathan Leko is joining up with England's Under-17 team ahead of their match with Germany next Friday.

The 16-year-old has scored four goals for Albion's Under-18s this season and Pulis has noticed his performances, bringing him on as substitute for the first team during the Capital One Cup defeat at Norwich.