Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace has called a temporary halt to negotiations with Berahino over an extended deal, amid concerns about the 21-year-old's lifestyle.

But Irvine remains confident the England Under-21 man can rediscover his form after being left out of the starting line-up for the last two games, including Saturday's 1-0 win against Villa.

Irvine said: "Saido is going to be a really important player for us this season – as he has been already.

"It is far too early for me to even think about what the team is going to be against QPR next weekend.

"Saido has a huge part to play in whatever we do this season but whether that is next week starting or from the bench I don't know yet."

Peace is concerned that Berahino's season has taken a dramatic nosedive since his call-up to the full England squad.

The dip in form mirrors the last campaign, when Berahino announced his arrival on the first-team scene with a flurry of goals before becoming mired in a series of off-field controversies.

He was involved in a dressing-room bust-up with James Morrison, as well as being caught on video inhaling 'legal high' nitrous oxide.

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His seven Premier League goals early this season earned him a call-up from Roy Hodgson but his form has dipped alarmingly of late and coincided with news emerging of his arrest on suspicion of drink driving.

He is due to be questioned by Cheshire Police this month after being pulled over on October 22. No charges have been laid.

He had opened talks about extending the deal which he signed in January and ties him to the Baggies until 2017 on a weekly wage of around £14,000, which rose from £850.

But Albion have called a temporary halt to discussions with Peace wanting assurances that he has cleaned up his act off the field.