West Brom wonderkid Jonathan Leko told 'Earn Baggies place'

West Bromowich Albion wonderkid Jonathan Leko can earn his place in the first team, says assistant head coach Dave Kemp.

The 16-year-old striker scored one goal and set up another for England under-17s this week in their 3-1 win over Turkey in a European under-17 Championship qualifier.

Pacy and powerful, there are high hopes at the club for the six-foot teenager born in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He made his debut in the 3-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Norwich earlier this season and has been training regularly with the first team.

But Kemp says age is not a factor when the squad is picked; Leko has to prove his worth as much as anyone else at the club.

"Just because someone's young doesn't mean they play, they have to earn it," he said. "You've got to show that you have the nous, plus the ability and the attitude.

"It's not a given just because you're young and talented, that doesn't do it."

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Baggies boss Tony Pulis is expected to play some of Albion's young starlets once the club reach 40 points, but Kemp says the coaches are always on the look-out for players who can enhance their chances in games.

"Football's a competitive business, it's a winning business, anybody that can help you win is going to be involved," he said.

"If they earn it they've got every chance of being selected but having said that, that applies all season long."

"You have to force your way in with how you play.

"What we try to do every day is use some of the under-21s, and we like to use the ones that have earned it, done well, been playing well.

"We try and get them training with us because you're trying to get them to make that step from academy football to Premier League football. That's a big step."

Another academy striker, 17-year-old Tyler Roberts, was handed a professional contract at the club earlier this season and like Leko, he has impressed Pulis in training.

"They've been on the bench for the first team so obviously they're inching [closer]," said Kemp.