Robert Koren is a main player for West Bromwich Albion, says Tony Mowbray

Apr 24 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

ALBION's unsung hero Robert Koren will be earmarked as a major part of Tony Mowbray's Premier League plans if the Baggies win promotion.

Mowbray's men are on the brink of promotion and will be up if Hull City fail to beat Crystal Palace this Saturday or if they themselves take a point against Southampton next Monday.

One player who has maintained a high level of consistency over the course of the season is Slovenian midfielder Koren.

The 27-year-old, who signed last January on a Bosman free transfer from Norwegian club Lillestrom, has chipped in with 10 goals and, according to the club's ProZone stats, is noted as being one of the team's most hard-working players.

Off the field he is the ideal ambassador for the club - intelligent, multi-lingual, thoroughly professional in his conduct and highly respected among team-mates and coaching staff.

While the likes of Zoltan Gera, Kevin Phillips, Ishmael Miller and Roman Bednar have grabbed the headlines, Koren has been quietly impressing his manager.

Mowbray appreciates his midfielder's worth and efforts.

"He gets lots of plaudits from the management team and the players - everybody appreciates his talents, his work ethic and his determination," the Throstles boss told the Birmingham Mail.

"If he isn't a name the Press have picked up on that's fine by us but he is very much an integral part of our team and the number of games we have asked him to play for us suggests he is an important player.

"He gets on with the job. We're delighted with Robert and hopefully we can facilitate him becoming a Premier League player via his efforts and his team mates' efforts.

"What he wants to do, as they all do, is compete against the best players and test himself on that stage."

Mowbray claims Koren's versatility across the midfield makes him even more valuable to Albion's cause.

"His contribution has been immense and he has got different strings to his bow," added Mowbray.

"He can be a goalscoring midfielder but he can also be a security, safeguard, holding midfield player.

"And he can be a wide midfield player. He gives us lots of different options and he gets on with whatever you ask him to do."