Express & Star

Five West Brom youngsters hoping to impress Tony Pulis in Austria next week

Albion are flying out to Austria next Tuesday and with the senior squad perilously thin as it stands, it could be a great opportunity for the youngsters to step up.

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Tony Pulis puts so much emphasis on his annual trip to the Alps that he's pulled 19-year-old Sam Field out of the England squad for next month's under-19 European Championships.

Both Field and teenage winger Jonathan Leko will be well known to Pulis and most fans by now, but here are five more players who will be doing their utmost to catch the eye next week.

Jack Fitzwater

The 19-year-old centre-back impressed Pulis during this very trip last year and at the end of it, he played 90 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain.

Had a solid season for the under-23s and was often James Shan's captain, but this could be a make or break year for the 6ft 1in defender.

His one-year extension was taken up by the club this summer, and he'll be hoping to push himself into Tony's thoughts, particularly with the defence currently so thin.

Tyler Roberts

Tyler Roberts

Unlike Fitzwater, Roberts was sent out on loan last season and he grabbed his chance at Shrewsbury Town by the scruff of the neck.

The 18-year-old striker/winger has been on Pulis's radar for over a year now, and he was impressed by his loan spell in League One which yielded four goals and a handful of assists.

In April, Pulis said: "We'll have a look at him in pre-season and who knows, he might now be up there and ready to go with us."

Rekeem Harper

Rekeem Harper

The 17-year-old central midfielder has been training with Pulis and travelling to matches since November.

He was on the bench four times last season, but will want to use the Austrian hills to prove he has the right work ethic.

"He's got all the tools," said Pulis in January. "But he's another one who's got to take his gloves off and get his hands dirty."

Kane Wilson

Kane Wilson

The 17-year-old was given his first-team debut at Northampton Town last August aged 16.

He's a right-back, but played left-back on that occasion, and with Pulis prioritising the spine of the team in the transfer window, there could be an opening at full-back.

An England under-17 international, Albion's coaching staff have high hopes for the powerful young defender.

Kyle Howkins

Kyle Howkins in action for Mansfield Town

The giant 21-year-old centre-half signed a new two-and-a-half year deal in January after impressing on loan at League Two Mansfield Town.

It was a step up from his loan at Kidderminster Harriers in the National League the season before, and Stags boss Steve Evans reckons he's got the ability to climb all the way up to the Premier League, provided he works hard under Pulis.

Such a long contract was a huge show of faith for an academy player aged 20 at the time, and like Fitzwater, he'll be hoping to capitalise on Albion's threadbare defence in pre-season.