Jonathan Leko thrilled with West Brom bow at 16

Jonathan Leko says he made his family proud with his Premier League debut for Albion on Saturday.

The 16-year-old striker came on as a 78th-minute substitute in the goalless draw at Sunderland for Saido Berahino, another academy product who's gone on to become the club's top scorer for two seasons in a row.

The teenager, who's impressed for England Under-17s in recent weeks, couldn't believe how quick the game was, but thanked Baggies boss Tony Pulis for giving him the opportunity.

"I'm lost for words really," he said. "I'm proud and have made my dad proud and my family proud. I can't wait until I get home and see his reaction.

"I didn't even know I was going to be on the bench. In the changing room he said the team and said he'll go with Leko. I was like 'yeah all right' and gasped. I couldn't believe it. I was sitting on the bench and he was like 'Leko come over'. I thought he was calling Victor or someone, but he was calling me.

"I just thought I'd go on there and prove to him he wasn't wrong in putting me on. I thought I did good.

"I didn't really have opportunities to get on the ball, but there was one time when I turned. I really enjoyed it."

Leko is just the latest player off a fruitful production line that includes Berahino; Isaiah Brown, who was snapped up by Chelsea; Jerome Sinclair, who joined Liverpool as a 14-year-old; and Kemar Roofe, who now stars for League Two Oxford United.

"There's definitely a pathway if you perform and do well in the 21s," said Leko. "The gaffer will give you a chance and he's proved that by giving me my debut. I'm really happy and really thankful to him."

Pulis said the Albion academy was the best he'd ever seen in more than 20 years of management, and promised to give more youngsters a taste of Premier League football in the club's remaining seven games now he's reached 40 points.

"I think there's a chance and an opportunity for kids to come in and have a little feel for it," said the Baggies boss.

"Leko is a talent, I spoke to him after the game and he just couldn't believe how quick the game was.

"The crowd and everything else, it's a fabulous place to come and make your debut at 16 but there's one or two others as well we might just give them a little taste."