West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke says that rebellious forward Peter Odemwingie still has a future at the club.

The Nigerian was involved in a crazy transfer story on deadline day as he used Twitter to try and force a move to Queens Park Rangers. He turned up at Loftus Road without permission from West Brom, but was refused entrance.

The transfer was therefore not completed and Odemwingie was left in an awkward situation as he had to face returning to the Midlands.

He has since been fined by The Baggies and has also publicly apologised to his teammates and the club’s supporters.

On 23rd February, the 31 year old came on as a substitute in the 87th minute against Sunderland, his first appearance since deadline day, and as expected was booed as he made his way onto the field of play.

Future

Despite a summer move looking an almost certainty at first, Steve Clarke is not ruling out the possibility of Odemwingie staying for next season.

Clarke told the Birmingham Mail: “Yes, why not? He has got a year left on his contract.

“Things happen and then life moves on. There is a possibility, yes, as he is under contract for another year. But it is not a conversation I’ve had with Peter. He is still trying to get back into the team.

“It’s a question for Peter. I was asked whether there was a chance he could stay in the summer and obviously I have to say ‘yes’ because he has a year left on his contract.”

Odemwingie is expected to partner returning forward Romelu Lukaku against Swansea City at the Hawthorns today; the Belgian was ineligible for last weekend’s visit to Chelsea. Shane Long is out with an ankle injury but captain Chris Brunt and defender Goran Popov should return.