Jed Wallace gives high praise to West Brom's in-form flyer

Johnston’s six Baggies goals came in a ruthless seven-game spell and he closed for the international break, where he will feature for the Republic of Ireland, with an involvement in both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bristol City.

Wallace, who netted the second, said: “Right now, for me, he’s the best player in the league at the moment, the way he’s playing.

“He actually said to me after the QPR game ‘maybe I should’ve played you in on one of them’ and I said ‘the way you’re playing you just kick it towards the goal and we’ll go from there!’ He’s on fire at the moment.”

Winger Wallace has operated as an emergency striker due to a shortage in recent weeks, while Celtic academy graduate Johnston and Baggies starlet Tom Fellows have thrived on either flank.

The Hawthorns skipper praised Johnston for pushing for a move in the search for more game time.

“Jonno’s been brilliant and I’m happy for him,” Wallace said. “When you’re at a big club like Celtic and people there maybe don’t believe in him maybe as much as he would like, confidence-wise it’s great to see people step outside their comfort zone, come here and do well.”

Boss Carlos Corberan boosted his Baggies attacking ranks with Johnston’s loan and a similar switch for Bristol City captain Andi Weimann, as well as West Ham youngster Callum Marshall in the January window.

Johnston has at times looked like holding his own goal of the season competition, with three wonderful strikes from range in clashes against Plymouth, Coventry and QPR, two wins and a draw.

Experienced former Villa man Weimann, 32, scored the winner on his debut against Blues and late on in the home victory against Cardiff. He is currently away on international duty with Austria.

Also away with their nation is teen striker Marshall, 19. The Northern Irish Irons hotshot has been restricted to three cameos from the bench under Corberan and the head coach has said that the striker was aware it would be difficult to come into a first loan, and real experience of senior football, and command regular minutes.

“We needed that in January,” Wallace added of the trio. “All three in their own way, even Cal, I know he’s not played a lot of football but his enthusiasm is brilliant, he drags people (along) in training with his energy and Andi scored a couple of massive goals for us.

“January additions have given us a real energy and now we have Matty (Phillips) and Josh (Maja) to come back into it as well, you have to believe what Carlos is doing because he knows it’s a 95-minute game of football and you’ve seen recently our goals off the bench, that can make a difference with the squad and substitutes we can bring on.”