West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke has insisted that he wants to keep Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie at the club.

Odemwingie, 30, has scored 26 goals in 62 appearances since joining the Baggies, and Clarke has reiterated his desire to keep the former Lokomotiv Moscow man.

"He's (Odemwingie) a top player, a Nigerian international, he scored goals in the Premier League consistently," Clarke told the Sunday Mirror.

"There's no reason to doubt that he's not a top, top player and I'm really looking forward to working with him. His goal record here is really good. He's the man you look to for the goals. Normally as an opposition coach I would be looking and seeing that Peter Odemwingie has scored again.

"I will come in and work with Peter and over a period of time I will be able to grade him and see where he fits in that sort of level in the table and where he fits as a player."

Clarke took over as Baggies boss in June.