Di Matteo wants cover for Odemwingie

West Bromwich Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo admits he needs a striker to cover for injury-prone Peter Odemwingie.

The Nigerian striker missed his side’s 2-1 loss to rivals Aston Villa with a groin injury, and is in doubt for the next Midlands derby against Wolves at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

Di Matteo is well aware of the difficulties of signing a proven striker in the January transfer window.

“It’s a very good idea but it’s easier said than done to find a goalscoring striker. The whole Premier League is after one but we are absolutely looking at that,” Di Matteo told the Wolverhampton Express & Star.

Di Matteo said Odemwingie’s influence was evident in their results, with the striker being in the side for 18 of their 22 points earned this campaign in his 11 games.

“Somen Tchoyi was a bit unlucky when he hit the crossbar on Saturday with a great effort and Jerome Thomas put some good crosses in. But we know we missed a bit of a cutting edge,” Di Matteo said.

“With all due respect to the players who played, when Odemwingie is missing we miss a bit of a goal threat.”