Two Albion starlets join Hereford

Two of Albion's brightest academy prospects have joined League Two club Hereford on a month's loan.

Defender Paul Downing, aged 18, and striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu, 17, have both made the temporary switch to the Bulls, who are managed by former Albion favourite John Trewick.

Baggies head coach Roberto Di Matteo said: "For their development and growth as players, it's probably better for them to play league football than youth team football.

"Hereford wanted them on loan and we were quite happy to accommodate them. So let's see how they deal with the kind of physical battles that they will find themselves in every week, playing for points, playing in front of people.

"Let's hope they cope well with it and in the summer they will be more experienced players for it."

Albion youth team boss Keith Downing, who is Paul's uncle, believes the move is next stage of the duo's development.

He said: "This is really pleasing new, because it's the next part of their development. They have proved they can cut it in the youth team and have a fair chunk of reserve team games under their belts.

"This is now a real chance for them to learn the game at the sharp end when it's win at all costs. I'm sure the next month will be a great learning curve for them."

Albion's sporting and technical director Dan Ashworth is happy to provide Hereford boss Trewick with two of the club's growing stars.

He said: "We know John really well. Hereford are a good club, so we know the players will be coached and treated well. It will be really interesting to see how the lads fare in league football - and I'm sure they'll do well.

"They've both got a good mentality and have bright futures in the game."