Bong plays through the pain for Albion

The 27-year-old, who has 12 caps for Cameroon, suffered a nasty cut on his left foot after just 20 minutes of the game at Leeds on Saturday, which required stitches afterwards.

He then maintained his ever-present record in the starting line-up for Championship games in the win over Bristol City on Tuesday.

Talking about the injury, Bong said: “It was a bad cut. I think it happened after about 20 minutes, I was running with one foot and I thought to go off but GG (Gordon Greer) and Liam (Rosenior) had problems, so I needed to wait and see to half-time.

“At half-time, I took painkillers and I just said 45 minutes more. The most important thing was I played, we won and I tried to give my best.”

Bong received stitches after the game and said: “I remember the gaffer was speaking and I was crying on the side and everyone was laughing because it was painful.

“I had an injection and tape and I just tried to run straight on Tuesday. When you’re a professional, you know what you can do and I gave my best.”

Bong is hoping the team can continue their outstanding form and said: “We arrive with the ambition to win every game but we respect the other team. We have the confidence in the team and maybe, maybe, that’s the key.

“Every game is hard. Every team is fighting and wants to win. When you play every three days, you need to just find a way to win.”

Bong also praised Albion’s matchwinner from the last two games, Bobby Zamora.

Zamora scored 83 goals for the club between 2000 and 2003, before rejoining in the summer. Bong said: “We know what he did before and know what he can do.

“Everyone likes him and he’s proved he can score and he can play and help the team, which is most important.

“You can speak about the past but you just need to speak about now and what he can give. He has a lot of experience.

“To accept to be on the bench and to help the team, you need to be strong and you need to be calm and relaxed and this is Bobby.

“I have a lot of respect for him. He’s a great player and when you know you are more close to the end (of your career) than the beginning, you keep going, give the best and smile.”

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