Darren Moore: Jonny Evans still has part to play for West Brom this season

Evans is set to return from a knee injury this weekend but is expected to be named on the bench for the Saturday lunch-time kick-off with Liverpool as Moore sticks with the starting XI that beat Manchester United.

The 30-year-old has a modest £3million relegation release clause in his contract and is due to finally exit The Hawthorns this summer after two windows of speculation.

It’s been a poor season for the club captain who has failed to hit the heights of his last campaign and was one of four senior players who allegedly stole a taxi in Barcelona.

But Moore has defended the Northern Irishman’s character and insists he has no problems playing him in the remaining few games.

“The incident what’s gone is gone,” he said. “As a character and as a gentleman, he’s a solid and respectful man.

"I communicate with him on a daily basis, he’s got a wonderful sense of humour. And he’s a leader. That’s what I will say about Jonny.

“I’m delighted that he’s here at the football club, really pleased to have the opportunity to work with him and may that continue.

“What happens with Jonny in the future, we can’t comment on that now. That isn’t decided yet. He’s still under contract at the football club.

"Everybody will speculate over that, I can’t control that.

“What I can tell you is he’s an excellent player, he’s still here at West Bromwich Albion and he still has a huge part to play at this club in the remaining games this season.”

Evans was made captain last summer after Darren Fletcher left for Stoke City, but there was a lot of speculation the defender could follow his long-term friend out of the door with Manchester City and Leicester interested.

Albion have endured a poor season and could be relegated this weekend but Moore disputed that Evans had struggled with the captaincy.

“No I don’t think he’s struggled with that at all,” he said. “I think it’s unfair to say that.

“Collectively as a team, there’s been struggles this season. It’s not just Jonny. The team’s struggled this season.

“I wouldn’t say he’s struggled with the armband, I’ve given an insight into the character, he’s a solid individual and he has a huge part to play in the remaining games."

Evans is returning from his knee injury after Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi kept a clean sheet at Old Trafford.

In fact, Dawson and Hegazi have been the centre-back pairing for three of Albion's four wins this season.

“Jonny’s an excellent player and another acquisition to the squad," said Moore.

"He’s in the squad (for Liverpool), I can’t comment whether he’s going to get back into the team.

“Jonny Evans has got every chance of playing like everybody else.

"Performances have been good, so Jonny’s coming back when the team is performing and operating very well.”