Osaze faces biggest test of the season

Osaze Odemwingie of West Brom (right) shielding the ball from Jay Spearing of Liverpool during their Premier League match at Anfield on April 22, 2012.

There has been little cheering news on West Brom striker Osaze Odemwingie this season. He has featured in four of the club’s Premier League matches, scoring one goal, which was a penalty converted against liverpoool. In the last match against QPR, he was removed by coach Steve Clarke after 62 minutes on the pitch.

He has a great chance to reclaim his status as the club’s biggest striker when they host Premier League title holders Manchester City on Saturday (today).

The fitness of Romelu Lukaku could make or break West Brom chances when they host.

Even with the goals not coming from Osaze, West Brom have been one of the surprises of the opening couple of months of the Premier League season, having won four and drawn two in the first seven rounds to sit sixth, equal on points with the two teams directly above them, Everton and Tottenham.

Manager Clarke, in his maiden full-time senior coaching job, has set up West Brom very solidly and only three teams have conceded fewer goals so far than the Midlands club.

But at the other end of the pitch, West Brom are only narrowly in the top half of the Premier League having hit the back of the net just 11 times.

Lukaku, who is on loan from Chelsea, has scored two of West Brom’s goals this season but could miss Saturday’s home game against the reigning champions as he continues to battle an ankle injury.

However, Clarke believes the powerful 19-year-old Belgian striker might be fit to play having been rested over the international break.

“He’s had a pain in his ankle for a few weeks,” Clarke told the club’s website this week.

“He felt it again when he came off the bench against QPR and didn’t feel it was right to go (and play for Belgium).

“He went across and got it assessed by the Belgium doctor and got sent back.

“It’s not a big problem but it’s one we’re mindful we don’t want to become a big problem.”

Irish striker Shane Long, plus midfielders James Morrison and Zoltan Gera, have also scored twice in the league so far this season.

Manchester City, who are third in the Premier League, just one point ahead of West Brom, should provide a sterner test for the home side than they have faced this campaign.