West Bromwich Albion's Roman Bednar Fears For International Career

"But now, I’ve got back into a couple of squads for the Czech Republic and suddenly, I’m not playing for Albion.

"It’s difficult for the international coach to keep picking me when I’m not playing for my club."

The 26-year-old missed out on his country's World Cup qualifiers last week, and watched as they only picked up one point against Slovenia and Slovakia.

Despite the recent international snubs, Bednar still has high hopes of playing in next year's World Cup in South Africa.

"In the squad he had four strikers who were fit and playing regularly for their clubs, so I understand why they were picked.

"But if I can get back into the team here, then I still believe I can get back into the Czech squad. If I am scoring goals for Albion, I believe I will get picked.

"I think I did enough in training, and in the two matches I was picked for, to get another chance."

The Prague-born player has remained committed to the club however, and is keen to fight for his place at the Hawthornes.

"It’s his choice and I respect that. I am disappointed, because every player wants to play but all I can do is work hard and wait for my next chance.

"It can be hard to stay focused on training and sometimes I maybe don’t show my disappointment in the right way.

"But I’ve spoken to the gaffer and he has just told me to keep working hard, so that’s what I’ll do."

The Baggies face a stiff test this afternoon when they meet fellow relegation rivals Stoke City, both clubs aiming to beat the drop. But standing seven points adrift with just eight games of the season left, Tony Mowbray's men have it all to do in the final stages of the season.

Nick Turner, Goal.com