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Odemwingie fears for starting role after dismissal

Peter Odemwingie was sent off at the weekend © PA Photos

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• Profile: Peter Odemwingie

Peter Odemwingie fears his red card for a wild hack at Fulham full-back Sascha Riether on Saturday could cost him his place in the West Bromwich Albion team.

Odemwingie, 31, has apologised for the incident that saw him dismissed at Craven Cottage during the first half of West Brom's first Premier League defeat of the season, and can expect to pay a five-figure fine.

But he is worried that his impending ban will also cost him his regular starting position at a club that is well stocked with forwards.

"We have a lot of good players on the bench, as well as players that didn't even make the squad on Saturday and are very good," Odemwingie said.

"I will work hard over the next couple of weeks to make sure I don't lose my position. But it is a worry that I might not get my starting shirt back."

Odemwingie was sent off with his team 1-0 down and said: "I feel like I've let myself down. It really feels very bad. I also let my team-mates, the club and fans down. I'm sorry."

As Albion drew a blank for the first time under new head coach Steve Clarke, losing 3-0, the prospect of Romalu Lukaku being given an opportunity in the starting line-up looms large.

Another summer signing, Swedish international Markus Rosenberg, also went on from the bench on Saturday, although the depleted team did not provide the best of platforms on which to impress.

Albion's next three games are at home to Reading and away to Aston Villa in the League, with a League Cup clash against Liverpool at the Hawthorns in between.

Odemwingie scored from a penalty when the Merseysiders lost at Albion on the opening day, and also hit the only goal when the Baggies registered their first victory at Anfield since 1967 towards the end of the season.

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