Albion manager Tony Mowbray has backed young defender Leon Barnett to banish his derby demons and hit back stronger.

The Baggies manager believes Barnett will be ready to grasp his next Premier League chance, after he was axed following a nightmare performance in the Hawthorns derby against Villa.

Barnett was a late inclusion in the starting line-up after being left out of the team initially. He suffered a poor afternoon as Villa won 2-1. He has since made way for Dutchman Ryan Donk and Albion have recorded back-to-back clean sheets.

Mowbray said: “It’s important to state that Leon had a very good start. He’s come a long way in a short period of time. He was competing with Luton at the wrong end of the Championship and is now in the Premier League doing exceptionally well.

“How’s he reacted to being dropped? In the right manner, I would suggest. He’s got his head down and he has to wait for his next opportunity, which will come due to injuries, suspensions or somebody else’s loss of form.

“He has to be ready when that opportunity comes and make it difficult for me to make changes, as Ryan and Jonas might be doing at the moment.

“We have four decent centre halves who are all competing.”

Abdoulaye Meite could add to the competition for places at the heart of defence, with the Ivory Coast defender in line for a possible return at Manchester United next week.

Mowbray believes Donk’s initial form since his debut at Middlesbrough means the Baggies physios can take their time on Meite’s calf injury.

The Albion manager said: “We need to be careful with ‘Abou.’ Ryan’s two performances and two clean sheets have lessened the urgency. It gives us more time.”