ROY Hodgson would have avoided The Hawthorns job had he not had confidence in their survival chances, according to one of the Albion manager’s mentors.

Don Howe was a key inspiration and influence on the 63-year-old during his formative years as a coach during the 1980s.

The duo first got to know each other when Hodgson was in charge of Swedish giants Malmo and Howe was working for Arsenal during the mid-to-latter part of that decade.

They have remained friends since.

Howe, now aged 75 and a former Baggies player and boss himself, believes Albion made an astute appointment when they opted to bring in Hodgson. Albion take on Blues this Saturday lunchtime knowing a victory could put some daylight between themselves and the bottom three.

Howe claims Hodgson will have been very aware of Albion’s weaknesses and strengths before taking on the job.

“Roy has gone into the club that’s only got a few games left but, mark my words, he’ll have taken that job because he fancies their chances of survival,” Howe told the Birmingham Mail.

“I watched him a few days ago on TV and he said to the interviewer that he didn’t really have much time as he needed to get back to training.

“That’s the kind of man Roy is. I’ve known him since he was at Malmo and he was completely absorbed by football.