George Thorne to get Albion chance

Albion teenager George Thorne has been promised he will get a chance in the first-team if he proves himself early next season.

Boss Roy Hodgson handed the 18-year-old his Premier League debut, as the Baggies fought back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Newcastle on the final day of the season.

Now the Kent-born England youth international has been told by Hodgson his age will not be a barrier to future chances in the first team.

Thorne revealed: "The new gaffer has said to me that the moment he feels I am doing better than the other players in my position, I will be playing. That's only fair and that's the kind of competition you need.

"Youssouf Mulumbu and Paul Scharner have had brilliant seasons and that's good for the club and good for me training with them every day, knowing I have to reach that standard to play.

"It is exciting at the moment."

Thorne had to wait for more than a year to make a second first-team appearance after making a brief debut as a substitute in the Championship at Sheffield Wednesday under Roberto Di Matteo.

But the midfielder has impressed Hodgson since the new head coach's arrival in February with the Baggies boss speaking in glowing terms about Thorne's potential.

The tall teenager has begun training on a full-time basis with the first team in recent weeks, culminating in him being named among the substitutes at Wolves before stepping off the bench at St James' Park.

And Thorne believes both his current and former bosses have the right approach to bringing through youngsters.

He said: "Roberto Di Matteo gave me my debut in the Championship and it's good to have coaches that will trust young players.

"But it's good that they do it at the right time as well – not just throw them in but talk to them and nurture them in training. It's good as a young player to have that around you.

"I thought I did OK on Sunday. Fortunately for me the game was a bit stretched and it allowed me to pass it about.

"I got caught on the ball once or twice but, on the whole, I thought I did OK."