Anichebe among several West Brom outcasts

Mark Holmes
Victor Anichebe: Has trained alone at West Brom this season

Victor Anichebe: Has trained alone at West Brom this season

Victor Anichebe says he is among several players to have trained away from the main West Brom squad this season having been marginalised by Tony Pulis.

With Salomon Rondon suspended, Anichebe made his first Premier League start of the season in Monday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United, earning the praise of Pulis for his performance.

The 27-year-old hopes it will kick-start his season, either at West Brom or elsewhere, having previously been made to train in a small group with the likes of Sebastien Pocognoli, Cristian Gamboa, Callum McManaman, Serge Gnabry and, before his recall, Stephane Sessegnon

“When you get your chance, hopefully I’ve taken a good step,” Anichebe said. “Whether I stay here or whether I go on somewhere else I thought I did myself justice.

“I thought the team did well as well so hopefully I can use that to kick on.

“Honestly it’s the best I’ve felt for a couple of years. It is really the best I’ve felt. I got a good pre-season behind me with the gaffer and then I pushed on fitness wise.

“Unfortunately I haven’t really played that much even though it’s been such a difficult time, we’ve worked together we’ve stayed tight the group of us.

“He put me in but credit to myself, Poco, Gamboa, Callum McManaman, Serge, Sess before. There’s a few of us, we’re all in the same situation.

“We weren’t really getting a look in, but we’ve always been doing training on our own.”