Pulis backing Rondon to hit the Albion goal trail

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has backed Venezuelan striker Salomon Rondon to hit the goal trail again in the remainder of the season.

Rondon last scored for the Baggies when he claimed a hat-trick of headers against Swansea City in December and he has been unable to add to his season’s tally of seven in the four months since.

In that time, the 27-year-old has gone 18 games in all competitions without finding the net, something West Brom haven’t done as a whole in their last four matches.

Rondon was left out in the most recent of these, against Liverpool two weeks ago, but an injury to Hal Robson-Kanu means that he is set to return to the starting line-up against Leicester City on Saturday.

Pulis said: “He’s got the chance of coming in and hopefully get off the mark again and, in the last five game, get us a few goals.

“He’s a good lad and there have been a few other issues that have affected him during the season, especially after Christmas, and there’s stuff at times that can affect players.

“His family’s a long, long way away, so I understand that, but he’s a great lad.

“Everybody likes him around the place and he works so, so hard for us. He’s been no trouble whatsoever.

“If we weren’t creating chances then I would be worried, but we are creating chances, even against Liverpool, and we have to put the ball in the back of the net.”