Anichebe vows to step up game

Victor Anichebe

West Brom striker Victor Anichebe has admitted he needs to step up his game and score goals if he must continue to be in manager Pepe Mel’s first team.

The former Everton player featured against the Toffees in Monday’s Premier League game,

his first since recovering from groin problem that ruled him out of action for more than six weeks.

Despite his work rate since joining the club in the summer, he has just one strike to his name.

He has also been largely ignored by the Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi as Nigeria prepare to play in the World Cup in Brazil.

“You always need goals,” he said on the club’s website.

“I need to step up, as does everyone.

“Diego scored a crucial goal and we need everyone to pull together and help the team.”

Anichebe also believes his comeback will boost the club despite a possibility Frenchman Nicolas Anelka may be out of action for five matches due to FA punishment.Anelka faces a minimum five-match ban after the FA finally made a decision on his controversial ‘quenelle’ celebration on Monday. He was charged with abusive behaviour, including a reference to ‘ethnic origin and/or race and/or religion or belief’.The 34-year-old, who started last night’s 1-1 draw with Everton at The Hawthorns, has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.But Anichebe believes the Baggies can cope without Anelka.

Asked about a ban, Anichebe told the Express and Star: “We’ve got a lot of good players here.“If I play, Saido Berahino plays or Matej Vydra plays, we’ll give it our all. I don’t pay attention to anything in the media.“I just concentrate on coming into training and working hard and trying to stay fit. The stuff with Nico will take care of itself. It’s got nothing to do with me.”