Georgios Samaras has been told by the West Bromwich Albion manager, Alan Irvine, that he is not fit enough yet to play in the Premier League.

The Greek internationalist has yet to start a game for West Brom following his arrival in the summer after his contract at Celtic Park expired. He was on World Cup duty and missed most of pre-season and has been restricted to just five substitute appearances. To add to his problems, he has been dropped from the Greek squad due to his lack of action at The Hawthorns and Irvine hopes it will not be long before he is ready to start a game.

Irvine said: "It is an extremely difficult situation for him. He needs to get to the right physical level because you cannot play Premier League football if you are not at the right level. He has not been ready. He has not been fit."