Hodgson eager for City test

West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson says his players are looking forward to the challenge of facing Manchester City on Wednesday.

Hodgson takes his team to Etihad Stadium this week, where they will meet a City team desperate to pick up points in the English Premier League title race.

City are second, eight points back from reigning champions and local rivals Manchester United.

West Brom meanwhile are 13th, effectively safe from relegation and hoping to inflict further discomfort on Roberto Mancini’s faltering challengers.

Speaking ahead of the match, Hodgson said the opportunity to test yourself against the competition’s heavyweights was part of the appeal of Premier League management.

“You want to be in the Premier League because you know you’re coming up against teams with potentially a lot more opportunities to win games than you might have in terms of their playing personnel,” Hodgson said.

“It’s always a level playing field in that no one can stop us going across that white line – eleven men against their eleven men and giving it the best shot that we’ve got.

“I’m sure we’d much rather be doing that than looking forward to a game in a lower league.”