West Brom manager Steve Clarke insists unsettled striker Peter Odemwingie still has a part to play at the club this season.
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Odemwingie has not featured for Albion since being disciplined for trying to force a move to Queens Park Rangers on transfer deadline day.
However, he did travel with the squad to Merseyside to watch them claim a surprise 2-0 win over Liverpool. Clarke had hinted the Nigerian may have had a part to play in the clash with the Reds, but eventually decided against it.
The Scot, though, insists there was nothing malicious about leaving the 31-year-old out of the team on the night.
"It wasn't an additional punishment and he was involved, that is why he was there," Clarke told The Guardian.
"He was in the dressing room, he was delighted for his team-mates and was there to support them and help them. It is all part of what being part of a squad about.
"Peter makes his contribution and will make a contribution in the season going forward."
On the win over Brendan Rodgers' charges, Clarke was pleased he could call on his regular midfield again as well as give impressive Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku a well earned rest.
"It is the first time in a number of weeks I've had the luxury of being able to pick Youssuf Mulumbu, Claudio Yacob and James Morrison in the same midfield," he revealed. "When they are together and everyone is doing their jobs properly we are a good team and deserve to be in the top eight.
"Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions and in recent weeks Rom, for a 19-year-old, has been carrying a lot of weight up front. So it was nice to give him a breather and the chance to come into the game to do what he did."
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