Roberto Di Matteo assures Koren he still has a future at West Brom

Nov 21 2009 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail

ROBERTO Di Matteo has assured Robert Koren he still has a future at Albion.

Koren has stated he would be willing to leave the club if he failed to nail down a regular place in the first team.

The midfielder’s anxiety about a lack of action is likely to intensify following Slovenia’s World Cup play-off victory against Russia.

Slovenia, captained by Koren, reached next summer’s World Cup thanks to an away-goals victory over Guus Hiddink’s men.

But he feels his international career and World Cup place could be compromised if he continues to be sidelined.

Di Matteo appreciates the 29-year-old will be desperate for first-team football in central midfield – Koren’s favoured position – but has urged him to be patient.

And he has extended that plea to Marek Cech, who has also become unsettled following a recent lack of starts.

Speaking about Koren, Di Matteo said: “I think he’s a great player.

“It’s a great achievement for him and his nation to reach the World Cup.

“I’ve always liked him but we have a lot of players in his department and I can only put 11 players on the pitch.

“He’s part of it and he’s been involved a lot, probably not in his favourite position.

“But we are overloaded and needed to find a balance to the side.

“Robert will get a chance to play because he is still a vital member of the squad.

“I understand he will want regular football and I understand his position but he’s intelligent enough to understand my position.

“That applies to Marek as well.

“It’s a long season and players will get their chance.”

Meanwhile, Albion have made it clear that they will not be prepared to cash in on Graham Dorrans during the transfer window.

The midfielder has been watched by scouts in recent weeks but the club have no plans to sell him.

■ Joss Labadie has joined League Two Cheltenham on a month’s loan.

The young midfielder will continue his football education at Whaddon Road until December 17, after recently having his loan spell at Shrewsbury terminated by Paul Simpson.

Labadie, who has signed a new one-year Albion contract plus a further year’s option in the club’s favour, was eligible for the Robins’ trip to Morecambe today, plus the subsequent fixtures against Barnet, Torquay United, Northampton Town and Chesterfield.