One that got away? Former West Brom prospect flying with hot streak - 'I think he will play at a higher level'

Cleary, from Castle Vale in the east of Birmingham, was a talked-about talent while rising through the youth ranks at The Hawthorns having joined the club aged seven.

He made his Albion senior debut at 17 in the FA Cup at Brighton in January 2022 and played seven times for the first team in all, including three starts in Cup competitions.

Cleary, who most prominently plays on the left flank, rattled in countless goals - many of them stunners from range or individual efforts - for youth age groups right up to under-21 level. Some injury issues in the last couple of years before his exit last summer stunted a final opportunity to really progress. He had hailed Richard Beale, Chris Brunt and James Morrison as big influences.

He was never too far from other headlines, either, with European giants reported to be sniffing around his progress given the volume of goals at youth level. German giants Bayern Munich were one of the heavyweights once cited.

A failed loan at League Two Walsall - Cleary arrived late with the Saddlers already flying and struggled to get into the side - was followed by a spell in the National League with Hartlepool last term, in which he took off with flying form.

Cleary decided against a new deal with the Baggies and was picked up by League One Barnsley over the summer. It is understood the Tykes completed the move with a future sell-on percentage in Albion's favour.

And Cleary is now carving a reputation as one of the hottest prospects in the Football League with red-hot form for Hourihane's side, who sit eighth.

It took some time for a first start in the league on October 4 - but Cleary has made his mark ever since.

Indeed he now has four goals and six assists from his first eight starts in the Football League. Barnsley fans are extremely excited by the confident and skilful attacker's potential.

Cleary plays on the left of attacking three behind the striker in Hourihane's 4-2-3-1 and has been scoring and creating for fun for the Tykes. He also went viral recently with a stunning goal from his own half against Bradford. He opened the scoring in a recent rout of Luton and likewise in Saturday's tight 3-2 win over Leyton Orient, in which he laid on the other two assists.

It has been some rise in just a few months for the intriguing ex-Albion prospect, who has been spotted back at The Hawthorns watching his former under-21 colleagues in action this season.

"I think he will play at higher level than League One."

Broadcaster Jeff Stelling said on Talksport: "We haven't got too long but I want to mention Reyes Cleary, he's at Barnsley. I was with some Barnsley fans, what a game he had at the weekend.

"He scored a goal, a fantastic goal, he hit the post, assisted the two other Barnsley goals - and they were proper assists by the way as well, laying them on a plate.

"I think he will play at a higher level than League One."

"Can I have a chat about how I can be more unpredictable?"

Tykes boss Hourihane said after the Orient win: "He’s been fantastic, he’s really exciting and such a threat. He had a quieter game before, up against an experienced right-back.

"He text me after saying ‘gaffer can I have a chat on Thursday about how can I be more unpredictable?’ Then he goes out on Saturday and does that. He’s putting the work in.”

Barnsley captain and top scorer Davis Keillor-Dunn added: "He’s been outstanding, teams are doubling up on him and making it harder. But the boy is so good.

"My job is to keep his feet on the ground and the rewards will come. He’s a quiet lad who never gets too high or too low. We need him, he’s one of our key players."