LONDON: West Brom manager Steve Clarke admitted that he would be unable to stop Chelsea if they wished to recall exciting young striker Romelu Lukaku to Stamford Bridge in January.

The Belgium international, who is on loan at West Brom, scored the winning goal on his full debut for the Baggies in their 1-0 victory over Reading on Saturday.

Lukaku (pic) has now scored two goals in four matches, prompting reports suggesting that Chelsea, who have only two recognized strikers in their squad in Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge, could end the temporary deal prematurely.

And both Torres and Sturridge seem to be struggling.

"If he scores 20 goals by Christmas and Chelsea want him back, there's not a lot I can do,"  said Clarke.

The former Anderlecht striker, meanwhile, reiterated he had not been put off having a future at Chelsea despite the limited opportunities he received in the season that followed his multi-million pound transfer.

"My dream is to play for Chelsea," he said. "I just want to make the best out of my career."

Lukaku is only 19 but hoped that, in the meantime, he could continue to prove that he was ready for a role of responsibility at West Brom.

"I'm just 19 and people will still look at me like a baby," he said. "But I want to play as much as I can."

- mD