Hodgson: League takes priority

West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has defended his decision to make sweeping changes for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Norwich ahead of two Barclays Premier League games in the space of 72 hours.

Hodgson admitted seven players who were left out of the 2-1 home defeat against the Canaries would have played had it been a league fixture. But he is adamant top-flight survival is of paramount importance as the Baggies prepare to visit his former club Fulham on Wednesday and host Swansea at the weekend.

Hodgson said: "We all have taken the cup seriously here and we tried to do our very best against Norwich."

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