Darren Moore impressed by West Brom's youngsters
Darren Moore is considering promoting several of Albion's youngsters to his first team squad after being particularly impressed by those who enjoyed successful loans last season.
Kyle Edwards, Jack Fitzwater and Kane Wilson all shone in Saturday's 3-0 pre-season win over Barnet, the club's first public outing of summer.
Edwards, 20, broke the deadlock in the second half with a sumptuous curling effort after the first-team regulars had struggled to score against the National League side in the first half.
Both Edwards and full-back Wilson, 18, spent last season on loan at Exeter City in League Two and the forward even scored in the play-off final.
Centre-back Fitzwater, 20, was one of Walsall's best players in the second half of the season and helped secure the Saddlers' League One status.
"Kyle’s come back for pre-season looking very, very good," said Moore. "His gameplay, his sharpness, his technical ability is very good.
"He’s certainly started our schedule very well. He’s reaping the rewards of last season. If anyone wants to see what loans can do then look at Kyle.
"Jack Fitzwater, too. He’s starting to look like a defender, the way he uses his body and talks to people.
"It just goes to show how much you learn by going away and playing football."
Moore knows the youngsters well, having organised many of their loan moves in his previous role.
He is keen to freshen up his squad this summer and is also eager to recruit younger legs in the transfer window.
There were only six regular first team players from last season in Saturday's squad of 22, but Moore will be welcoming back the majority of his recognised faces on Monday when he takes them to Scotland for a four-day training camp.
"I’m really looking forward to Scotland," he said. "It’s going to be a great week up there where we’re able to get this squad together.
"There’s no game in between so it’s good for us as staff to get the work into the players.
"All the international players will be back in the building so the squad will take a more senior shape.
"It’s about bridging them back in after their time away. We’ll get some good work done."
