Olsson earns Swedish call-up

Albion defender Jonas Olsson has landed his first ever call-up to the Sweden national team.

The 27-year-old has been rewarded for his Baggies performances with a place in the Sweden squad for a friendly against Wales in Swansea next Wednesday.

Olsson won 25 caps at under-21 level but an appearance at the Liberty Stadium would be his first full cap.

The former NEC Nijmegen centre-back said: "Since I moved to England I have developed in the right direction.

"I feel that I have come to a country whose football suits me, and I have grown with the task.

"It is very nice to have a chance in the 'big' team. I've played some under-21 games before and to pull on the national team jersey is special and it makes me happy."

The call-up from Sweden boss Erik Hamren is likely to find a mixed response at The Hawthorns, where head coach Roberto Di Matteo would prefer his players to rest during the international break.

Di Matteo has seen his injury-hit squad stretched to the limit in recent weeks but he is looking forward to fielding new loan signing Ben Watson against Derby on Saturday.

The Italian said: "Having lost Gonzalo Jara we felt we needed another player to help us get through the remainder of the season.

"Ben is a player who has played many games in the Championship and he has all the qualities we are looking for.

"I would say he is a different player to Jara. I don't like to compare them because Jara was very versatile and a great player for us.

"Ben, I'm sure, will do a good job for us. He will be a very good player for us.

"He is very good on the ball, he brings some physical presence and he has a goal in him as well.

"The most important aspect is that he knows English football and he knows the Championship and what is required."