Adil Nabi happy to star for Albion Under-21s

West Brom striker Adil Nabi believes he can force his way into the Baggies team without going out on loan after his Under-21s hat-trick last night.

The 20-year-old, who returned this season from a cruciate ligament injury, netted a treble in the Baggies' 4-1 victory over Villa in the Under-21 Premier League Division Two.

Head coach Alan Irvine has earmarked Nabi for a possible loan move to gain first-team experience but the academy graduate already has his eyes on the Baggies' first team.

Nabi said: "Getting experience is a good thing, going out there and playing some men's football in front of a big crowd.

"But then again if we keep performing like the way we are there is no reason why we can't go straight in. Me and Liam O'Neil and some other lads can go straight in there.

"The lads are performing well at the minute but we're just waiting for our opportunity to get in. It's not always about loans I don't think, if we can keep performing here there's no reason why we can't get into the first team.

"I am feeling perfect fitness wise. I had all of last season – 12 months out. To come back and hit the ground running straight away has been fantastic.

"Hopefully now I can keep pushing on and pushing on and keep going trying to get into that first team."

Nabi netted three goals and made the other for Kemar Roofe, as the Baggies' youngsters saw off their local rivals last night.

He said: "I am really pleased, it was a great team performance, I am happy to get a hat-trick, we kept pushing and it could have been five or six.

"Kemar scored and we had a few other chances. Liam had one, my little brother (Samir) had one as well.

"We have had Alex Jones back as well back from injury so hopefully we can kick on now and keep winning."