Pardew: Rodriguez won't be dropped over racism allegations

Jay Rodriguez was charged by the FA after being accused of using "abusive and/or insulting words which included a reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race" towards Gaetan Bong during West Brom's league clash with Brighton on January 13. 

The forward strongly rejected the accusations, saying on Twitter that he was in "disbelief at the situation" and that he would take legal advice to prove his innocence.

Speaking ahead of West Brom's league game against Chelsea on Monday, manager Alan Pardew claimed that he wouldn't leave Rodriguez out of the team, saying:

"I've got no problem picking him, it's obviously not a situation which is ideal for Jay. It's an accusation that he denies and as a club we are going to support him through that process.

That is what it is at the moment. It's a process that needs to be seen through and therefore our comments on it can affect it to some degree. The less we say the better."

Pardew said that he hoped that Rodriguez would be still be able to focus despite the ongoing allegations, stating: "Jay is obviously upset about it. He has a good mental capacity to deal with things and hopefully he can concentrate on his football when he is here and not worry too much about the situation - although it is a worry."

He stressed that they were taking the situation seriously, explaining:  "I spoke to the PFA this moment, I tried to contact Kick It Out this morning but I have had no reply.

"We all need to make sure that for the two players that we understand the seriousness of the situation. It is not just about us losing Jay for five games - it is a little bit more serious than that and his future after the game.

"Whether he wants to be a coach or a manager or he wants to go into business. This is a serious accusation so he wants to defend it and that's all I really want to say on it."

The player has until the 16th of February to respond to the FA's charge.