LEON Barnett says earning his place back in the Albion side and winning last night's crucial Black Country derby has quickly made up for his Wembley disappointment.

The Baggies defender was only just back from a hamstring injury when the FA Cup semi-final with Portsmouth came around 11 days ago and he missed out on a place in Tony Mowbray's final 16-man squad.

But the 22-year-old centre-half has bounced back in style after stepping in for the injured Martin Albrechtsen.

He helped the Baggies comeback to beat Blackpool 3-1, scored the equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw with promotion-rivals Watford and kept a clean-sheet in the 1-0 victory at Molineux, which has shot the team back to the top of the table.

"I thought the lads dug deep and we deserved it last night," said Barnett.

"We were both scrapping for the points but we went there in a positive mood and came away with a vital win.

"It was a big game for us and the fans, especially given the way the table has gone.

"The other teams are playing catch up now and it's in our hands.

"We just need to keep performing and I'm sure the results will come.

"We will have a day off today and tomorrow we resume training with Norwich in mind.

"We need to be sharp and ready.

"We have to go there in a positive mood and do the business."

Barnett added: "I've been lucky in a way.

"I got injured just before Wembley and I was unfortunate not to be involved in that but then bounced back.

"To go to Molineux, with a massive crowd in a derby game, keep a clean sheet and win - I couldn't ask for any more.

"Personally, I think missing Wembley was down to fate - it obviously wasn't my time.

"I have to look at the pluses."

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