Robson rejects Earnshaw request

West Brom manager Bryan Robson has rejected a second transfer request from club record signing Robert Earnshaw.

Robson dismissed reports suggesting he would allow the Wales striker to leave The Hawthorns during the January transfer window.

Earnshaw, whose first request to leave was turned down earlier in the month, has become frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities.

But Robson has reiterated the need to hold on to the £3.5million capture from Cardiff.

Robson is mindful of the fact that the in-form Kanu will be unavailable during January because of African Nations Cup commitments with Nigeria – along with Senegal international Diomansy Kamara.

Robson said: “I’ve made my position very clear on this matter. We received a transfer request from Earnie two weeks ago which I turned down.

“Earnie has submitted another transfer request in the past few days which I have also turned down.

“With Diomansy Kamara and Kanu leaving for African Nations Cup duty in January I’ll need all of my strikers. Earnie has just got to knuckle down and fight for his place.”

Earnshaw was the Baggies’ leading scorer last season with 14 goals but has made only four league starts during the current campaign.