Baggies star Robert Koren visits pupils

Albion star Robert Koren has been showing off his skills to young Baggies fans.

The Slovenian midfielder popped into Abbey Junior School in Smethwick yesterday where he was quizzed by year six youngsters on his career and also spoke to them about the importance of education and hard work.

He kept them entertained by showing off his silky skills with an impromptu keepy-uppy display. The star, who turns 29 on Sunday, managed to avoid too much of a ribbing from some of the Villa and Blues fans at the school and proved a big hit with pupils.

The visit was arranged as part of the Baggies community programme, known as the Albion Foundation, which has been taking classes and after-school sessions at the Barclay Road school.

Foundation coach Chris Holloway said: "He was talking to the year six pupils as they are in their final year and it was a chance for them to grill him a little bit.

"They asked him who he supported when he was growing up and he took the easy route and said West Bromwich Albion."