Albion manager Tony Mowbray believes Baggies new boy Jay Simpson will emerge as a striker at the Hawthorns.

The on-loan Arsenal youngster is poised for a potential Premier League debut at Villa on Saturday, after making his debut as a sub on the right flank in the FA Cup draw with Peterborough.

Mowbray believes the 20-year-old will produce his best form, if he edges out Roman Bednar or Luke Moore and gets a chance in his preferred position.

The Baggies boss said: “His natural position is centre forward. He’s best down the middle, where he can run in behind teams and be ‘slipped in’ from the side.

“He uses his body well, so he has no problems holding the ball up and getting it played into him.

“I’d suggest he’s a centre forward. The decision on where to play him on Saturday was two-fold. Robert Koren hadn’t been feeling well and I felt the game needed
livening up, so we threw Jay on as an extra striker coming in off the right to give us something different.

“That’s a role he can play.”

Mowbray revealed he is planning to use Simpson at some stage during Saturday’s visit to Villa Park.

The Hawthorns chief said: “[Last] Saturday was a difficult game for anybody to play in. I hope he plays some role at Villa. He’s here to make an impact.

“I hope he will be a big plus for us. He showed flashes of his mobility, pace and hunger to play for the team [against Peterborough]. Strikers need a break and hopefully he’ll get a goal soon.”