Hodgson blasts Odemwingie

ROY HODGSON has taken a swipe at Peter Odemwingie — claiming the striker has offered 'nothing' this season.

The West Brom boss is unhappy the Nigerian keeps missing games and questioned his overall commitment.

He said: "I'm frustrated because we've got nothing out of him this year.

"He didn't take part in many of the pre-season matches and he hasn't taken part in many of the matches since then.

"It's been one problem after another.

Odemwingie, 30, was the Baggies star last season, scoring 15 Premier League goals, and was awarded a bumper new three-year contract this summer worth £40,000-a-week.

But he is yet to replicate that form or repay the club's faith in him.

The striker has grabbed just two goals in nine games this term and keeps pulling out of comebacks after a knee injury.

Hodgson added: "Peter is difficult to work out — you would have to speak to the doctor about him.

"This is still the same problem he's had for a month. He was supposed to be fit for the Arsenal game but wasn't.

"Then he was definitely going to be fit for the Bolton game but wasn't.

"And he is supposed to be fit for the Tottenham game and now there's a doubt about that too.

"So I take any optimism with a pinch of salt."

The Baggies boss complained: "For a player who we really put so much into in the hope that he would be a major force for staying in the Premier League we have not had much of a return.

"What makes it even harder is when you get a player who is frustrated or is frustrating it gets highlighted more when you have players like the Geras, Longs, Reids and the Thomas' who play through pain every week."

Hodgson cited Odemwingie's new contract as another reason the club should be getting more out of the star despite the emergence of Shane Long, a £4.5million signing from Reading.

He added: "When you sign that contract and accept a lot more money following a good season, then you automatically accept that the club thinks you're the man and that can put pressure on you.

"Your star players need to be available for selection — the fact someone else might have come in and done well is irrelevant.

"There is a hierarchy at every football club."

Long is a major doubt for the visit of Spurs on Saturday after getting a bang on his right leg in training.

Graham Dorrans is also facing a race to be fit with an ankle problem but Paul Scharner should return from his knee injury.