West Brom hopeful encouraging showing will prove a "kickstart" to prospect's career

Centre-back Taylor, who turned 22 on Tuesday, netted the opener against the Cherries before the managerless Baggies succumbed to a 5-1 defeat.

The headed effort capped an impressive start to the game for Taylor who cut a composed figure in possession in his first Albion action since the recall from a very productive loan at League One high-flyers Wycombe.

The Baggies went on to ship five on a difficult afternoon but Brunt, part of Albion's three-man caretaker team, saw the positives in the giant defender's performance and insists the test posed by the likes of Bournemouth front-runners Justin Kluivert, Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo and David Brooks will serve the academy graduate well.

"I was delighted for him. He has had a good loan at Wycombe, done really well, and come back," Brunt said.

"For him to score a goal as well...it was a great header. A great header from Grady (Diangana) as well. I am buzzing for him. He's deserved it. He's had to work hard out on loan to get a chance.

"He's back with us now and hopefully that will be the kickstart he needs to start his West Brom career properly. He was asked a lot of questions by Bournemouth and in long spells of the game did really, really well.

"There will be a lot of positives for him to take out of that. Obviously playing against teams of Bournemouth's quality there is always stuff you can do better, but on the whole I thought he acquitted himself very well and I'm happy for him."

Taylor made 20 appearances for the Chairboys - 19 starts - in his third loan away from The Hawthorns. There was stacks of interest in the highly-rated stopper last summer but Wycombe were decided on because they play with a back four, something Albion wanted Taylor tested in, and had a big ambition for the new season.

Taylor and Wycombe spent much of the campaign riding high at the top of the third tier. Boss Matt Bloomfield was this week poached by Championship Luton to replace Rob Edwards.

The defender, son of former Blues defender Martin, did not have to wait long for first-team action with a place in the heart of Albion's defence at the Vitality Stadium.

The 6ft 5ins defender did not struggle with physical duels but more tellingly cut a composed figure with the ball at his feet against top flight opposition. There were one or two sticky moments later in the third round tie as Bournemouth swept through a much-changed Albion side.

But Taylor showed his capability to be considered a first-team option for the remainder of the season. Albion had to beef their backline this month given Paddy McNair's loan ending and a long-term injury for Semi Ajayi, who is unlikely to return to competitive action until March.

The club opted on a recall for Taylor with other areas of the squad, notably in forward positions, to address before the window's deadline.

Academy graduate Taylor is rated as one of the club's top products and will compete with Torbjorn Heggem, Kyle Bartley and Mason Holgate for starts at centre-back. Bartley, 33, is being managed more at this stage of his career and underwent minor knee surgery earlier this season.