Steve Clarke has urged West Brom supporters not to let their feelings towards striker Peter Odemwingie affect their backing for the team in tomorrow’s home clash with Sunderland.
Clarke confirmed Odemwingie is part of his plans to face the Black Cats, returning to favour after his Twitter rants against the club and the bitter on-off transfer saga with QPR last month.
Clarke said: “I understand some of the supporters might not want to forgive Peter quickly but, when they go to the stadium, all I ask is they support the team.
“If Peter scores a hat-trick and they choose not to celebrate Peter’s goals, they should celebrate the fact that the team have scored.”
Schalke consider Drogba appeal
Schalke 04 are considering whether to appeal to UEFA over Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba’s participation in Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw in Istanbul, the club said.
“There are doubts about the validity of the permission to play for Drogba in the Champions League.
“Schalke 04 reserves its rights and is looking into this,” the club said on their official Twitter account.
Ivorian striker Drogba joined the Turkish club in late January for 18 months from Shanghai Shenhua.
Walcott urges belief
Theo Walcott knows Arsenal need to make amends for a miserable week when Aston Villa visit tomorrow.
Saturday’s shock FA Cup exit to Blackburn was compounded by a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Tuesday night.
“We’ve got the best man (manager Arsene Wenger) in the job to get our heads back to where they should be,” the forward said.
“I’ve played a lot of games in the Champions League and I know how things go.
“We need to react in a positive way straight away. We can’t be down in the dumps in training.
“Everybody needs to be alive and alert, recover well.”
Barca’s Abidal cleared to play
Barcelona’s dismay at losing 2-0 at Milan in Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 first leg was offset yesterday by the news that defender Eric Abidal had been cleared to play after almost a year out to undergo a liver transplant.
“After this morning’s training session Eric Abidal has received the welcome news that he has the medical all-clear and is therefore available to the team for the final part of the season,” Barca said in a statement on their website (www.fcbarcelona.es).
The 33-year-old left-back had the transplant in April 2012 and last featured in a 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid just under a year ago. He returned to training in December.
Del Piero pens new Sydney deal
Alessandro Del Piero confirmed the worst kept secret in Australian soccer yesterday when the former Italy and Juventus great said he would be staying for a second year at Sydney FC.
Despite interest from clubs in Brazil and the US, Del Piero said there had never been any real doubt that he would stay on.
“It was a big challenge for me, for my family, to take a long trip here and change everything in our life,” he told a news conference.
“My family and I have had a great time here. The weather, the city, everything is good. But first of all, I’m here to play. It’s a challenge.”
Del Piero’s 11 goals in 18 games have helped haul the club from a miserable start to the season and into the play-off hunt.
No Juve interest in Lewandowski
Juventus have not entered the race to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, his repre-sentative has said.
The Polish international is one of several forwards who has been linked with the Italian chamions.
“We’ll evaluate the situation in June,” agent Cezary Kucharski was quoted as saying.
“The only thing I can say with certainty right now is that there are no negotiations with Juventus.
“No Italian clubs have contacted us.”
The 24-year-old, whose contract runs out in June 2014, is believed to be a top transfer target for Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Inter set to join Diamanti race
Inter are considering making an approach for Bologna’s Alessandro Diamanti in the summer, according to reports in Italy.
Although the former West Ham playmaker has a contract with Bologna until June 2017, his agent admitted earlier this month that Diamanti would consider his future at the end of the campaign.
“Alessandro is loved in Bologna, but there could be some important opportunities for him in the summer,” Luca Puccinelli told Sky Sport Italia.
“If a top team came in for him then that would be a really big opportunity for him.
“In Italy or abroad? If he stays on the peninsula then that would help his international career as he would be seen more regularly.”