West Brom boss clarifies selection thinking after attacker's "ammunition" talks

Swift has enjoyed some of his more productive Albion form since Mowbray returned to the club in January and the former Reading attacker has netted three goals since - having failed to score previously this term.

Mowbray explained he sees a time and place for the likes of Swift in his side - similar for fellow creator Grady Diangana - in more technically demanding games. The head coach added Swift recently approached him with evidence in his bid to feature more regularly.

"I have been really struck by how talented John is really and even managing other clubs, playing against Reading generally, when John would play against us, he was always somebody you needed to pay attention to," said Mowbray, whose side host Hull on Saturday.

"He is a wonderful player and that is why he has been in the team. The dilemma for me has generally been about athleticism against raw talent and I generally feel some games you need athleticism against certain teams.

"At times (it has been) disappointing for John. He scored a couple of goals. He did tell me he hadn't been on the pitch when we'd lost a goal. He had been substituted before Portsmouth probably scored and I think we were 1-0 up when he came off against Plymouth.

"He had ammunition for me to say 'why am I not playing?' Because I can give him reasons why he is not playing and why this one is playing.

"It is never personal, I am just trying to help the team win the next game and I have got players that I have to utilise. Some are fast, some are big, some are strong, some are wonderful technically and I have to try and put that jigsaw together."

Swift, 29, scored his third goal in seven games with a blistering free-kick in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Reading. Not only had the attacking midfielder failed to score prior to Mowbray's appointment, he had also not created a goal.

The ex-Chelsea youngster, a significant earner in the squad, is out of the contract in the summer. He was close to a loan move to Derby on February's deadline day.

"If you look at his history, and I have, he has always had goals and assists," added the boss. "Generally at Reading, for a number of consecutive years, double-figure goals and double-figure assists in the same seasons and it was a bit alarming when I came that there was no goals, no assists.

"All I have tried to do is give him some confidence, give some love but then, as I said, I do feel as if I disappoint them sometimes as well by not selecting them."