Assistant boss Appleton has made no secret of his desire to eventually step up into a senior role and he was caretaker-boss at The Hawthorns last season after Roberto Di Matteo's sacking. The former Manchester United player, who spent 11 years at Old Trafford, was quickly elevated by Hodgson to become his assistant head coach in February and feels he is reaping the benefit. Appleton, helping to prepare Albion for Wednesday night's Carling Cup tie at Everton, said: "From a personal point of view, it is fantastic experience working with Roy and can only benefit me for the future. "He has been in the game for 35 years as a coach and manager, worked in lots of countries, and I learn every single day. "I pick up things especially from the training situations because tactically he is very astute. "There are certain situations where probably I would have done things differently and, when I think back to it, I say 'God, I would have got that wrong then'. "There have been times when I might have got after players while the manager has been very calm and dealt with it in a different way and again I've thought 'that is the best way to deal with it'. "They are the little things you learn and get an opportunity to learn. He is perfect to learn from." Hodgson is not pressing the panic button despite Albion's poor start to the season which sees them bottom of the Premier League after five games. Appleton said: "I think the experience Roy has had puts him in a frame of mind where ultimately it is five games into the season. "He reminds the players and staff that there is no need to panic yet. "On the other hand, we are not naive. We know being bottom of the table can have a negative effect on players if you don't stay positive, if you don't do the right things. "That is what it has been like over the last couple of days. "Yes, we've had a defeat and a poor performance but ultimately the performances before that were up to standard." Albion intend to field a strong side at Goodison Park but Appleton admits the Baggies also have one eye on Saturday's home league clash with Fulham. He said: "Our main priority is the Premier League but ultimately every competition we enter, we will try and do our best in, and give it every opportunity to get what we can out of it. "Last season we reached the quarter-finals and narrowly missed out on an opportunity to play Arsenal in the semi-finals. "We have shown the competition the respect it deserves and if we can get anywhere near to that again, it will be great for the club. "It will be the strongest side we can put out but also bear in mind there is a very important league game on Saturday as well." Striker Shane Long is doubtful with flu while defender Gabriel Tamas will serve the second game of a three-match suspension. The likes of Simon Cox, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Billy Jones, Gareth McAuley and Marton Fulop will come into contention for starts.
