Jamie Andrews thriving away from West Brom – Grimsby's Paul Hurst

It is a third loan spell for the boyhood Baggie and there has been progression each time, having previously featured in step two of non-league with Leamington before a stint with National League outfit Yeovil Town last season.

But he only played three games for Leamington and 10 times for the Glovers and will be hoping to boost his appearances figures this term.

Andrews has already chalked up eight appearances for the Blundell Park side, including five starts – three in League Two and all in the space of the last 10 days as he builds up his fitness levels amid the intensity and tempo of league action.

Boss Hurst, whose side sit 18th with three wins from 12 in the league, said: "He's obviously pretty good on the ball, pretty comfortable, he's got a nice left foot.

"But the other thing I've been pleased about is the way that he's competed. I think when he came in, probably through no fault of his own, he wasn't as fit as he could be and I can remember during the first bit of training he found that quite difficult even though it was only a short and sharp session.

"But I think the way he's maybe trained at his parent club it's not quite the same, and although he's played in the under-21s games it's not quite the same, everyone would accept they're a different tempo and intensity to what League Two games are."

Andrews penned a one-year contract extension at The Hawthorns during the summer as his previous terms came to an end. He was one of a quartet of youngsters, including striker Mo Faal, goalkeeper Brad Foster and centre-back Aaron Harper-Bailey to do so.

He was handed his senior Albion debut by head coach Carlos Corberan last season in the FA Cup third round replay at home to Chesterfield.

Andrews was regularly a captain for Albion academy sides.

"I think he's took a little bit of time to get up to speed but always showed a good attitude and willingness to do so," added Grimsby boss Hurst. "Now he's reaping the benefit whereas before he'd have struggled to get through a 90 minutes at that tempo, he's done that in the last couple of games and is starting to show he's a good player."

The youngster overcame adversity in his teenage years. As a first-year scholar at 17, doctors identified a fluid issue on the midfielder's spinal cord, which meant Andrews missed out on a significant period of his development.