There had been speculation linking the 30-year-old forward with a move to Fulham in exchange for Andrew Johnson.

But Hodgson has rubbished the reports, clarifying his desire to keep the Baggies top-scorer of the past two seasons.

Hodgson said: "Peter Odemwingie is an important player for us and a player we believe in and a player we want to keep and a player who is not for sale.

"We don't welcome offers for Peter Odemwingie. He is a West Brom player at the moment and will be next season.

"We want to keep him and he is under contract. Very simple really.

"It is very irritating when people just out of the blue suddenly start linking us with other players.

"I presume the link with Andy Johnson is based on the fact we worked together at Fulham and it is a player I admire as a footballer.

"He did a great job for me but, to be fair, he is not a player we've actually discussed in terms of next season."

Contracts

Albion do have a significant group of approaching the final 12 months of their deals including first-team regulars Keith Andrews, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Jonas Olsson, James Morrison, Steven Reid, Paul Scharner, Nicky Shorey and Jerome Thomas.

But Hodgson claims this is nothing out of the ordinary.

He added: "I don't think the situation we are in is any different to any other club. Every club has players who are either running out of contract or entering the last year.

"It is part and parcel of this time of year and trying to prepare for the next season.

"We've got time and most squads won't be finalised until August. That is how it's been the last few years and that is how it will be this year.

"I hope the players we are holding talks with would love to stay, I hope they sign the contracts and stay with the club."