Sunday 24 January 2016 13:40, UK
West Brom manager Tony Pulis has revealed he could give striker Salomon Rondon a rest over the next few weeks.
The 26-year-old Venezuelan, who was signed for a club-record fee of around £12m from Russian club Zenit St Petersburg last summer, led the Albion line in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at The Hawthorns.
It was Rondon's 19th start of the season but he was a peripheral figure before being replaced in the 64th minute.
Rondon had scored his fourth goal of the campaign in the 1-0 FA Cup victory at Bristol City in midweek, but Pulis believes he is struggling to adjust to the Premier League's intensity.
"Salomon looked tired," Pulis said. "We gave him blood tests this weekend just to test him because the lad feels tired.
"I think it's a different type of football he is playing and it's week-in, week-out. It's so hard and it's so tough. He needs this season to get used to it.
"He's got real quality and real talent. If you look at his running stats, his running stats are fantastic, he goes out there and does works hard, but he felt tired again.
"We'll check and see where he is. He might just need a couple of weeks off."
Rondon was replaced by Saido Berahino against Villa and if he is rested it could lead to an opportunity for the England U21 international, who has yet to attract any offers during the transfer window despite interesting four Premier League clubs, according to Sky sources.
