West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson confessed he is delighted with on-loan Arsenal striker Carlos Vela as he explained he could be the key to his side’s relegation battle.

Speaking to the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast on Talksport, the 63-year old said that the Mexican was quick to show his talent when used as a substitute in the last part of the games against Wolves and Stoke City.

Enjoying an impressive goals to minutes played ratio in the English Premier League(one goal for every 60 minutes played according to opta) the youngster already scored two goals for his new club, immediately becoming a favourite with the fans.

Hodgson continued by confirming that the 22-year old will not be eligible to face the Gunners as part of the loan agreement and how therefore he will only feature for the Baggies tomorrow away against Birmingham City during the month of March.

On the Arsenal man, the WBA boss said:

He’s [Vela] taken his chances enormously well, I gave him a late chance against Wolves and he popped up with a very important injury time equaliser.

He played the other night for 15 minutes and scored a goal and had two goal chances, he’s certainly showing that he knows where the goal is and he’s a good player to have around.

He can’t play against Arsenal because of the loan agreement (he can’t play against his mother club) so I don’t think we’ll see a lot him for the month of March.

I think everything, including relegation will be decided from late April through to the final game in May and it would be great to have him firing on all cylinders then.