Graham Dorrans assured of future

Albion midfielder Graham Dorrans has been assured he still has a role to play in the Premier League as he prepared to stake his claim in the Carling Cup.

The Scotland international, who will start in the last-16 clash at Leicester tonight, has found himself a virtual spectator during the Baggies' flying start to the season despite his starring role in promotion from the Championship.

But assistant head coach Eddie Newton today insisted last season's Player of the Year will play his part in the current campaign despite losing his place to the trio of Youssouf Mulumbu, Paul Scharner and James Morrison.

Newton said: "It is testament to our squad that he isn't in the team. We want competition all over the place and 'Dozza' will come to the fore sooner or later.

"We have been talking to him and he will get there. He just needs to get his head down and slowly but surely it will come, but everyone who is in the first team at the weekend is there on merit as far as we are concerned.

"It will be a test for him but every player goes through this. All players have spells where they are made to sit on the bench and they are not used to doing it.

"Dozza is still at the very beginning of his career and he has gone up to another level now. He is going to have to get his head down, work it out and you only get out what you put in.

"He is of that frame of mind anyway. He is very introverted, works very hard and it will come for him.

"I've got all the confidence in the world of that because he is an extremely talented player."

Albion are also awaiting news of scans on Jonas Olsson (Achilles) and Marc-Antoine Fortune (ankle) with both set to miss out tonight.

But striker Peter Odemwingie hopes to resume training in the next few days after his knee problem.

Newton said: "Peter's doing well and we're hoping we'll see him in training in the next couple of weeks, but we are erring on the side of caution.

"We'd rather keep him out a little bit longer to ensure he's right and have him playing for a longer period than bringing him back too early, seeing him break down again and losing him for a longer period."