Westley: Sodje in contention

Published Aug. 24, 2012 7:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

Sodje came on for his North End debut in the 49th minute at Greenhous Meadow but was replaced by Graham Cummins in the closing stages having gone down for treatment.

The former Port Vale, Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton striker, 32, appeared fully recovered when summoned off the pitch and showed an angry reaction which Westley confirmed he subsequently apologised for.

"He wasn't happy at coming off and that's that," said the Lilywhites boss. "I had a word with him afterwards. Nobody should ever take a decision that any manager makes and react to it in any way, shape or form. Decisions are there to be respected.

"I don't think he's under any illusions about that. He apologised for his reaction in the dressing room after the game. This stuff happens doesn't it?

"Why would I not (pick him)? He regrets having a bit of a tantrum. I'm sure anyone can understand why he got upset. There's better ways of dealing with it, isn't there? He's sorry for what he did, but we're all bigger people than to worry about stuff like that, I'm sure."