Roy rushes back but Keane has to sit and wait

NEW West Brom manager Roy Hodgson admits he never intended to return to management so quickly after being sacked by Liverpool last month.

Hodgson has joined the Baggies on an 18-month contract until the summer of 2012 as successor to Roberto Di Matteo.

He will watch today’s home game with West Ham with first-team coach Michael Appleton taking charge.

Hodgson will be at the helm for the first time for the derby clash with Wolves at The Hawthorns next weekend.

He said: “It was not my intention to return to Barclays Premier League football this quickly.

“But I was so impressed by the way the chairman (Jeremy Peace) and the sporting and technical director (Dan Ashworth) sold the project to me that I was very happy to accept the offer,” he added.

“I am delighted that a club of West Bromwich Albion’s stature has given me the opportunity to help them in their quest to retain their Premier League status and to build for the future.’’

Meanwhile Avram Grant is confident that West Ham will be able to survive without Robbie Keane after losing the striker for at least a month with a calf injury.

The Republic of Ireland striker made a successful start to his career at Upton Park, scoring on his debut after securing a six-month loan deal from Tottenham last month.

But the Hammers will now have to do without the 30-year-old for key games against West Brom, Stoke and Liverpool.

Grant acknowledged that Keane had made a huge impression on the team since signing, but predicts Demba Ba, Freddie Sears and Carlton Cole can hold the fort until he returns.

“I must say in a very short time, (Keane) has had a big, big impact on the team,” the Israeli said.

“He’s very positive, his character, he’s intelligent in his game, and he’s a good player.”