Callum Styles growing as summer signing urged to take West Brom opportunity

Boss Carlos Corberan has turned to the diminutive and versatile Styles to start in recent games after some bright cameos from the Hungary international.

While Styles was flagged as someone who could play up to five positions when Albion sealed his undisclosed fee signing in August, Corberan has emphasised that the Baggies brought him to the club with left-back - and left wing-back - in mind specifically.

It was those bright cameos that earned Styles the nod over Frabotta, who has since picked up a minor groin injury, as defensive star Torbjorn Heggem was forced to switch into the heart of defence due to Kyle Bartley, Semi Ajayi and Paddy McNair fitness blows.

Bury-born Styles made north of 150 appearances for Barnsley and spent parts of the last couple of seasons on loan in the Championship with Sunderland and Millwall. He featured for Hungary, with whom he qualifies through grandparents, in the European Championship in the summer.

Albion handed Styles a four-year contract upon arrival but he had to kick his heels until very early on in clash that finished goalless at home to Cardiff on October 26 for a real opportunity in the side. That wait came as a result of Heggem's stunning form from left-back.

The former Bury youngster has made no secret he sees himself as a midfielder first and foremost and an adjustment to left-back responsibilities was always likely. After Cardiff came starts against Luton, Burnley and Hull as Corberan's side ended a tough eight-game winless run against the latter.

Corberan labelled Styles' performance against Hull as his best yet when it comes to both work with the ball and in defence. The Hungarian played a part in both Albion goals as he combined well with Mikey Johnston and Karlan Grant on the left side of Albion's attack.

"I think it was his best game in terms of the managing of the ball and his defensive behaviours," Corberan said after the win at Hull.

But the head coach sent a reminder that Styles, now as the only available option to play in the position, was signed to compete for the left-back role.

"Styles is a player we brought to the club to be a left-back, or wing-back," added Corberan.

"In the summer before we played it was clear we considered Frabotta and him to play in this position. The fact Heggem has been playing at an outstanding level makes it more difficult to give minutes to both, but for me Styles has used the opportunity better when he's had minutes.

"He put himself in front of Frabotta so far to play in that position and now with Frabotta's injury it is the only decision we have.

"When we signed Styles we knew we didn't bring a specific left-back, but we signed him as a left-back."