Alan Irvine backs Saido Berahino resurgence

West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Irvine has backed Saido Berahino to enjoy another purple patch shortly.

The 21-year-old snatched headlines and plaudits with his talismanic early-season form, scoring eight times from his first 10 outings in all competitions.

However, Berahino has not found the net in any of his last eight games, with Irvine electing to bench the misfiring striker for the Baggies' previous two.

"I just think there have been a lot of demands on a young lad and lots of attention from everybody and that all built up because of the goals he was scoring, and the way he was performing, and it's probably just taken its toll," he told Sky Sports News.

"Like any player he will go through spells when he is not playing so well and he went through a few weeks when he was not at the level he was before.

"I just felt it was time to give him a chance to recharge his batteries and I expect him to come back strongly once again."

West Brom, who sit 14th in the Premier League table, three points clear of the relegation zone, face fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.