West Bromwich Albion teenager George Thorne urged to make the step up

West Bromwich Albion teenager George Thorne was today challenged to prove his Premier League pedigree by cashing in on the Baggies' midfield injury crisis.

The 19-year-old was in the squad to face Manchester United at Old Trafford this afternoon after being recalled from his eye-catching loan spell at Peterborough.

And, with Claudio Yacob and Youssouf Mulumbu currently sidelined by hamstring problems and Mulumbu set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in early January, assistant boss Keith Downing has challenged Thorne to step up.

Downing said: "We have always felt George had the potential to do it but, with the progress of our club, his chances have been limited.

"But I have seen a progression in him recently.

"He is more of a man now, he has more experience and knowledge of the game.

"He understands the game now but that only comes from playing real football at Peterborough.

"He's a young boy looking to establish himself in the game and it has been a really important part of his education to play in real, Championship football."