Clarke hopes striker's hard graft will bear fruit before end of the season
STEVE Clarke admits Markus Rosenberg has not been given enough time on the pitch to show his true qualities at The Hawthorns this season.
The former Werder Bremen striker has been limited to only two Barclays Premier League starts for Albion this term – with Romelu Lukaku and Shane Long netting an impressive 19 top-flight goals between them.
And the Baggies boss hopes the Sweden international is able to find some form before the season is out.
“Markus needs something to happen for him and it’s been a frustrating season for him,” said Clarke.
“He’s never really been given the chance to show his true potential.
“That’s probably down to the form of the people who were in the team before him and those who have stayed in the team in front of him.
“It’s a situation I’m aware of.
"I know Markus is really disappointed and a little bit down and it’s our job to keep him positive.
“Hopefully, between now and the end of the season, he'll see one of his efforts fly into the back of the net.
“That should break this little jinx that seems to be around him.
“Markus comes to see me quite often and I respect him for that.
“He lets me know his frustrations. He comes to tell me face-to-face how he feels and what he’s thinking.
“I’m sure before now and the end of the season, or now and the end of next season, we’ll sit down and discuss his future because he’s not the sort of person who’s happy to sit on the bench and just pick up his money.
“We’ll decide what’s the best thing for Markus and what’s the best thing for West Bromwich Albion."
Despite featuring as a substitute on 15 occasions, Rosenberg has been limited to just over five hours of league football for the Baggies.
But the Hawthorns chief dismissed assertions the 30-year-old’s barren run is down to playing in England – insisting he could not have worked harder during his time at the club.
“I think it’s just the circumstances,” Clarke added.
“You can’t say that it’s because he’s playing in this league or that league, because if you look at the number of minutes he’s had on the pitch, it’s probably not enough.
“He can be disappointed with me but he can’t be disappointed with himself because he puts in a good shift every day in training.
“He’s the consummate professional.
“He’s always trying and always working at his game.”