Robust Jay Rodriguez comes in on his days off to make sure he can play for West Brom

Rodriguez has played almost 3,600 minutes of league football this season, which is more than any other forward in the Championship.

He is one of just six outfield players in the league to start all 41 league games so far, and is scoring at a rate of once every other game.

This week he became the first Albion player to score 20 league goals in a season since Kevin Phillips helped fire the Baggies to the Championship title 11 years ago.

“The reason why Jay Rodriguez has played so many games is because he is a key player for the football club,” said caretaker boss James Shan.

“He does everything possible to recover from games. He comes in on his days off to use the cryotherapy chamber. He is the ultimate professional.”

Rodriguez has played in a number of positions this season including up front in a two, as a false nine, and more recently under Shan, out wide.

“He has been asked to do lots of different roles and responsibilities,” said Shan. “He has played wide, he has played off the front.

“He has dealt with opposing team’s midfield players and done a job and a number on them.

“Credit to him for his availability throughout the season. And also credit to him for the number of goals he has scored this year.”

As well as scoring seven out of eight penalties, Rodriguez has also chipped in with a number of other important strikes from open play.

“He has got a number of goals from the spot this year,” said Shan. “And the other goals he has scored, he’s probably not played in his preferred position – down the middle.

“His ability to be so robust has put him in contention to play week-in, week-out.

“He has a fantastic goal tally, and he’s been a fantastic team player.”

The other five outfield players who have started every league game so far in the Championship are Ezgjan Alioski and Mateusz Klich of Leeds, Joe Allen of Stoke, Harlee Dean of Birmingham City, and Semi Ajayi of Rotherham United.