Albion striker Simon Cox has tipped George Thorne for a big future after the teenager made history with his surprise debut.

Midfielder Thorne stepped off the bench for his debut in the 4-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, becoming Albion’s youngest player in competitive action since 1960.

Cox’s hunt for a hat-trick was ended when he made way for Thorne but the striker was quick to congratulate the Kent-born England under-17 international.

The striker said: “I was a little bit disappointed to come off, but I was pleased for George Thorne who came on to make his debut.

“I was very pleased for him and his family because it’s always nice to come on when you’re winning 4-0 and making your debut is always a very big achievement. He has trained a couple of times with us and he is a big lad. He certainly doesn’t look 16.

“George can put himself about and he could be one for the future. If he keeps progressing at the rate he’s at now, we might see a lot more of him before the end of the end of the season.”

At 16 years and 321 days old, Thorne became Albion’s youngest player since Bobby Hope made his debut against Arsenal, aged 16 years and 219 days, in April 1960.

His introduction meant Cox had to be content with two goals and the young striker, who now has four goals in as many games, was dreaming of a treble.

He said: “I went in at half-time thinking I might get it, but I wasn’t really going out to get it. The shot in the second half that went high and wide was probably my only chance, but I wasn’t really looking for it.

“It would have been nice if it had come, because I only seem to score hat-tricks away from home.”