Stoke City boss heaps praise on Walsall manager after Nathan Lowe's goal scoring return

After 18 goals for the Saddlers in all competitions, Stoke unsurprisingly recalled the 19-year-old earlier in the transfer window, and he was thrown straight back into the side for the trip to West Brom.

Lowe, high on confidence from his free scoring run in League Two, started with Stoke where he left off with the Saddlers, as he bagged just nine minutes into the trip to Albion.

Stoke were pegged back and drew 1-1, but Stoke boss Robins was delighted with his forward and the job Sadler and his coaching staff have done in helping to develop the striker.

He said: ""He's back and full of confidence. He has played for Mat Sadler at Walsall and they have done a good job with him, and in return he has started brilliantly for them.

"He has given them goals and assists and his confidence has grown, he is a confident.

"I can't say it is too much of a surprise that he got into a good position, that is what he has been doing albeit at a different level.

"He got himself into a good position here, he reacted well and finished it off and it is a really good start.

"We're pleased, he is an academy graduate who has come through at 19, he's got a lot to learn but he has done well against a difficult opponent.

"Everyone loves it, and he will not just switch off and think he has made it.

"He is an intelligent player, he asks intelligent questions. He has things he needs to work on but he did very well for his first game."