Albion handed young duo pro deals

Albion have handed teenage duo Sam Mantom and Paul Downing professional contracts.

The pair became the fifth and sixth youngsters to win professional deals in the last 12 months, completing a record year for the fledgling Baggies academy.

They have followed Chris Wood, George Thorne, Romaine Sawyers and Lateef Elford-Alliyu in joining the professional ranks - the highest number of graduates in a single year since the club gained academy status five years ago.

Youth coach Keith Downing said: "The work the academy has done over the last five years is paying off.

"As a whole it's looking quite strong and we've got a few more players coming through the ranks."

Winger Kayleden Brown and goalkeeper Ryan Allsop have had their scholarships extended into a third year after progressing well in the reserves.

But second-year scholars Lee Lynch, Ashley Malcolm, Ashley Lovell and Tom Waghorn have been released, along with defender Dwayne Samuels, following a year as professionals.

Stourbridge-born midfielder Mantom, aged 18, was a regular for Albion's reserves last season and earned three call-ups to the first team substitutes' bench.

Centre-back Downing has been at Albion for more than six years, captained the reserves last season and enjoyed a six-game loan spell at Hereford in February.

The 18-year-old is coach Downing's nephew, but was already established in the reserves when his uncle joined the club.

Downing Snr said: "Sam's got that ability in midfield to see a pass. He's good with both feet, reads the game very well and tactically is quite astute. Coupled with that, he is a focussed boy, diligent and works hard every day.

"Paul also reads the game well and is technically good on the ball. He had a spell out at Hereford, which has helped him on his learning curve.

"It was a massive education for him to go and play real football."

Wood was a regular in first team squads last season, scoring his first senior goal and earning a place in New Zealand's World Cup squad.

Thorne signed a professional deal midway through the season and became the club's youngest league debutant in 49 years as a late substitute at Sheffield Wednesday in November aged just 16 years, 10 months and 24 days.

Birmingham-born Sawyers had his season wrecked by a knee injury, while former England youth international Elford-Alliyu scored 11 FA Premier Academy League goals in his third year with the Baggies.