Michael Appleton has urged Peter Odemwingie to stay at West Brom and enjoy another season at The Hawthorns.
Baggies assistant reminds striker of club's faith in him
West Brom's first-team coach Michael Appleton has urged Peter Odemwingie to stay at the club and enjoy another 'fantastic season' at The Hawthorns.
Manager Roy Hodgson has hit out at Wigan this week following the Latics' persistent pursuit of the Baggies striker, with a £1.5million bid rejected last week.
Albion continue to hold talks with Odemwingie about signing a new improved deal after scoring 15 goals in his first season in the Premier League last term.
And Appleton feels the player would be better off staying put to help the Baggies progress further up the table as opposed to a move elsewhere.
"Peter is 30 years old and I would imagine at some point in his career he's been in a situation where he's been in negotiations with his contract," Appleton told the
Birmingham Mail.
"It has to be right for him, right for the club and I'm sure over the next couple of weeks something will be agreed and we can all get on with playing football and everyone comes out of it happy.
"We want him to stay. We took a chance on taking him from Russia 12 months ago and saw something in him we liked and could work with.
Opportunity
"He had a fantastic season last year and we want that again this season with us. Staying at West Brom will give him that opportunity.
"Joining another football club would mean blending and adjusting into what they want to do.
"We had a relatively successful season last year, we've added to the squad and he was a big part of what we did. We want that to continue and I'm sure things will be sorted out.
"He's under contract for two more years. People can put in as many bids as they want but no one is for sale.
"The bottom line is we want him to stay at West Brom to help us get into a position like we did last season, or even better. And keeping Peter Odemwingie will give us a greater chance of doing that.
"He got 15 goals last season and if he can get anywhere close to that then I'm sure we will give ourselves a good chance next season."
