West Brom academy on the lookout for the next Chris Brunt

The club are inviting boys aged between eight and 14 who are naturally left-sided to apply for a trial, and academy scouts are actively on the look-out for left-footers too.

The project has been set up because Albion's academy teams have a dearth of left-sided players, but staff also believe it is an area that can sometimes be overlooked.

"We're targeting an area of the talent pool that we don't think is particularly well covered," explained assistant academy recruitment officer Matt Richardson, who set the project up with chief junior talent spotter Steve Hopcroft.

"It's not a case that if you've got a left foot you will be signed, but left-footers are on the agenda.

"It's an area that we are focusing on because we don't feel we've got enough quality left-footed players."

According to research the academy has sought out, only 19 per cent of the world's population is left-footed, which gives those who are an advantage over others.

"Most players and people are naturally right-footed," said Richardson. "But if you look back at the last 20 or 30 years, a lot of players at the top of the game have had a strong left foot.

"Just look at Gareth Bale and Lionel Messi. There's certainly something different and exciting about watching a left footed player.

"From a defensive point of view when you're playing a right-footer like yourself you can mirror that, but when it's in reverse it's difficult.

"I think defenders struggle to compute quick enough what left footers are going to do.

"They can't rely on simple instincts and muscle memories they've developed playing against righties."

Not only that, but Albion's youth teams need an injection of left-footed players to give their squads a healthier balance.

"Both myself and Steve are big cricket fans, and that's a sport where you need balance in the line-up," explained Richardson. "We've highlighted a few teams across the age groups that are lacking left sided players."

Left-footed juniors or their parents can request a trial online now at www.wbatid.com and after Christmas there will be an assessment day when those deemed good enough will be offered an academy trial.

This latest project follows on from the 'late developers' programme that was launched in August.

Boys who were below average height and had a birthday between April and August for invited to apply for a trial.

It came after the emergence of Sam Field, a May baby who played down an age group for the majority of his youth career.

"We've had three academy trialists this season from that," said Richardson. "Two are currently in on trial who came from the programme. We feel it provides an important pathway."