West Brom's Steve Clarke 'tried to stop Nicolas Anelka from leaving'

West Bromwich Albion head coach Steve Clarke reportedly tried to convince striker Nicolas Anelka to stay put before the Frenchman decided to call it quits.

The 34-year-old is said to have walked out from training today, telling staff that he has decided to hang up his boots.

It is understood that Clarke, along with technical director Richard Garlick, tried to get the former Chelsea forward to change his mind, but to no avail, according to The Telegraph.

The Baggies released a statement following the news, claiming that Anelka had been excused from this weekend's match against Everton on "compassionate grounds".