Gareth McAuley: Stick with West Brom Jonathan Leko

Gareth McAuley has told Jonathan Leko to stick with Albion after tipping the teenage striker for big things.

The veteran defender has been hugely impressed by the 17-year-old, who made his breakthrough into the Baggies first-team this season starting the final three Premier League games.

Leko, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and has been on Albion's books since the age of 10, is expected to be offered a new three-year contract as the club seek to prevent any unwanted interest from other clubs.

McAuley, who at 36 is the oldest member of the club's current squad, believes The Hawthorns is the best place for Leko to be right now.

"He's only a baby, to be fair," said McAuley.

"He's got to be managed properly by the club because he's only played two games, but there will be people starting to circle him and trying to nick him.

"The only thing I will say to him is this is a great football club to play for and a great club to learn at. Hopefully he takes that on board."

Albion know all to well the frustration of losing highly-rated prospects after seeing Izzy Brown leave for Chelsea in 2013, while Jerome Sinclair and Yan Dhanda went to Liverpool in similarly controversial circumstances.

Yet none of the trio have managed to make an impact since leaving The Hawthorns, with Brown having made only one substitute appearance in the Premier League.

Sinclair meanwhile left Liverpool to sign for Watford this week, having made just two.

McAuley added: "He (Leko) has only trained with us for the last month or so, his last two performances for us have been fantastic.

"He's a talent, he's got all the ability in the world. He's still learning the game, but he's got to be protected."

"There's real talent there without a question of a doubt," added McAuley.

"They've got to be given some incentive at this football club."