Darren Moore urges West Brom's young bucks to seize their chance
Darren Moore has urged Albion’s youngsters to surprise him during pre-season because he’s hoping to integrate some of them into the first team squad.
The Baggies boss has taken a number of academy players out to Portugal with him for a six-day training camp.
Having previously worked in the academy as both a coach and a loan organiser, he knows the majority of the club’s youngsters well.
And with several senior players absent from Portugal, Moore is hoping those coming through seize the chance to catch his eye.
“I know them from my previous roles with the club but even though they’re young, they’re quite mature in a football sense so I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform,” he said.
“Over the last couple of years those players (I dealt with) have turned 19, 20 or 21 and they’re now at a mature age so they have a wonderful opportunity of staking a claim and getting in the squad.
“There are a few seniors not here because of their international commitments, they’re having a bit of time with their families before getting back to a gruelling pre-season.
“I’m very hopeful and expectant that one or two youngsters will give me a nice welcome surprise in terms of their development.”
Ahmed Hegazi and Nacer Chadli are missing the Portugal trip due to their exploits at the World Cup.
Jake Livermore, Oliver Burke and James McClean have also been given an extra week off after being involved in international duty over the summer, although Stoke are hoping to tie up a deal for McClean in the coming days.
James Morrison has also stayed at home after working hard on his fitness over the summer, but a number of youngsters have flown to the Algarve.
Brad House, Alex Palmer, Kyle Jameson, Kane Wilson, Dara O’Shea, Jack Fitzwater, Max Melbourne, Nathan Ferguson, Alex Bradley, Kyle Edwards, Jonathan Leko, Rayhaan Tulloch, and Callum Morton have all travelled.
“I want to (integrate them),” said Moore. “For me, they’ve got the talent and ability, what they have to realise is what is expected from them in games at the level we’re operating at.
“In pre-season we’re looking for ability to take information on board in what’s required for the team.”
Albion are training twice a day in Portugal and are set to return on Sunday, six days before the club’s first pre-season friendly, away at Barnet on Saturday, July 7.
