West Brom head coach Roberto Di Matteo does not want to lose Robert Koren in the January transfer window but he understands the frustrations aired by the midfielder earlier this week.

The Slovenia captain was quoted as telling a news agency in his homeland that he plans to leave the club in the new year due a lack of opportunity this season in his favoured central midfield role.

A number of clubs have already been linked with a move for the disillusioned 29-year-old and Di Matteo plans to hold talks will him in the near future to discuss a positive resolution.

He told the club's official website: "When I moved here we had a lot of central midfield players, quite a lot of them with similar ability. That made things more difficult for everybody to get into the team.

"I've had a chat with Roko (Koren) and he wants to play. He is at an age where he doesn't want to be on the bench and he is also the captain of his national team. I understand his frustration and his needs.

"But from my point of view, I also need to have a look at what is the best possible team to win on any given day. I think he is a very good footballer and I wouldn't want to lose him, but we will have to sit down and see what the best solution is for both us and him."