Greening cuts the mustard

INSPIRATIONAL skipper Jonathan Greening is the clear choice of West Bromwich Albion fans as player of the season so far.

In a Vital WBA poll, the 29-year-old midfielder was the outright winner, polling 47 per cent of the votes registered.

Scarborough-born Greening was signed by former Baggies manager Gary Megson from Middlesbrough in a £1.25m deal back in july 2004 and has since made nearly 160 first-team appearances.

He has been a virtual ever-present this term, with 31 appearances plus one off the bench in League, FA Cup and League Cup games.

Greening, who began his professional career at York City and later had just over three seasons at Manchester United before earning a £2m move to Middlesbrough, is enjoying his most consistent season at the Albion to date.

This campaign he has been employed in a deeper, central midfield role, where his vision and range of passes have proved invaluable in the team`s climb to the top of the Championship.

Second in the fans` choice is prolific striker Kevin Phillips with 24 per cent of the vote with Andrade Filipe Teixeira third with 13 per cent.