Express & Star

Reyes Cleary praised for approach after West Brom youngster struggles for Walsall game time

Reyes Cleary has won praise for soaking in information despite the initial shock of a first loan down the football pyramid.

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Cleary, 20, scored his first senior goal with a strike for loan club Walsall against Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy last week in what was just a second start for the Saddlers.

The winger was a regular goalscorer at Baggies junior age groups but spent large parts of the last two seasons struggling with injury. A loan away from The Hawthorns for a first regular taste of senior football has been a long time coming and delayed on at least one occasion.

He checked into Mat Sadler's League Two side in August with Walsall already flying high after a bright start. The Saddlers have continued to mix it at the summit and game time has proven very difficult for Cleary.

The Birmingham-born academy product, who signed a new one-year contract plus a club option of a further 12 months this summer, has been limited to just three substitute appearances in the league.