Clarke looking to put right wrongs and provides updates on Long and Odemwingie
STEVE Clarke insists his team will be up for Tuesday’s FA Cup replay with QPR (ko 8pm) despite the huge disappointment of their dramatic last-gasp 3-2 defeat at Reading.Nine minutes of madness cost the seventh-placed Baggies a precious three points at the Madejski Stadium as they threw away a 2-0 lead after 81 minutes.
But Clarke believes the third-round tie with Rangers is the ideal opportunity to make amends for the errors that proved so expensive against the Royals.
The Albion boss said: “No, it won’t be hard for the players to play again on Tuesday, they are professional.
“It’s my job, they’re professional, and we’ve got a big game on Tuesday night.
“We want to progress in the FA Cup and stay in it as long as possible.
“We want to have a good cup run.
“We owe that to the supporters and we have a massive derby game next weekend.
“Hopefully we can put right the wrongs of the last nine minutes today.”
Clarke revealed Shane Long missed today’s return to his former club due to a dead leg that is likely to keep him out against the R’s.
Peter Odemwingie also sat out the trip to Berkshire due to injury and the Baggies boss reacted to speculation that QPR have enquired about the availability of the Nigeria striker by insisting: “Peter’s not for sale.
“I said in the previous press conference none of our players are for sale, with the exception of Graham Dorrans, who we’ve spoken about many times.”