Express & Star

West Brom youngsters Sam Field and Jonathan Leko join Charlton Athletic on loan

Albion youngsters Sam Field and Jonathan Leko have both signed for Charlton Athletic on loan.

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Sam Field and Jon Leko.

The midfielders are heading to The Valley for the season, although there a recall options in January included in both deals.

Field, 21, has been shunted down the pecking order by the arrivals this summer of Romaine Sawyers and Semi Ajayi, who can also play in midfield.

Leko, 20, would have found minutes hard to come by due to incoming deals for wingers Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana.

Both players are staying in the Championship, and are expected to play more senior minutes under Lee Bowyer than they would have at The Hawthorns.

It is Field's first loan move away from the Baggies, but Leko has previously spent some time on loan at Bristol City.

Technical Director Luke Dowling said the switch would benefit both players.

“With the players we are recruiting this summer, it’s an opportunity to maintain their development," said Dowling.

“It was important that they went to a manager who believes in them and Lee Bowyer certainly fits that category.

"I know Lee well and we have spoken about Sam and Jonathan’s development at Charlton and we are hopeful the two boys will come back to us with a strong body of first-team games behind them in the Championship and be ready for us.

“The worst thing for them would have been to keep them around the group here. They are past the level of under-23s football.”

Albion may yet loan out more of their youngsters this summer, but they do not need to do it today.

Championship clubs must complete all business – permanent and loans – by 5pm today but League One and League Two clubs have until September 2 to bring players in on loan.