West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke has leapt to the defence of striker Nicolas Anelka by insisting that he has done well for the club this season.

Despite scoring several times during pre-season, the Frenchman is yet to net a goal in a competitive fixture since joining the Baggies in the summer.

Anelka comes up against one of his former clubs in Arsenal on Wednesday, and Clarke believes that the 34-year-old can prove his worth against the Gunners.

"Anelka has done well for us. He has worked for the team," Clarke told reporters. "Sometimes we haven't had enough support for him.

"He has been the second striker in some games and we haven't got the ball to him or created enough. We can be dangerous underdogs."

Albion host Arsenal in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night.