Notebook: West Brom coach on transfer, a "Rolls Royce", left-back experiment and injury

The contest in Solihull was useful to offer senior long-term injury victims Daryl Dike and Semi Ajayi some important minutes, but Richard Beale was delighted with the impact of several of his players in the 3-1 Premier League 2 win.

The under-21s are next in action in Monday night's mini-Derby against Wolves at Aggborough in Kidderminster.

Beale said: "I asked the lads to carry on where they left of over the last few weeks, they've had a really good start to the second half of the season.

"It was really good to see them carry that consistently into the game. With young players a lot of the time they can do it for one game, or half, and can't maintain it. We had a decent result, we still could've been better, but I'm really pleased with the energy they're bringing and the basics and hard work for a platform to show the quality."

Here are some other talking points from the under-21s' latest triumph.

Cruising through a return

Promising central defender Jamal Mohammed has endured injury hell and not featured for the under-21s since September 2023, where he injured his meniscus and ACL.

The 18-year-old has had a couple of setbacks since and Newcastle was a huge step forward in the former Peterborough centre-back's return.

The towering London-born stopper gave a seriously impressive display and did not look like somebody who had been sidelined for more than a year. His stylish use of the ball was most eye-catching.

Beale said: "He's had some terrible luck with injuries, he's worked really hard off the pitch and you can see now that he's really developed into his body, he's a big strong unit and as well as that he can play football. We're really pleased to give him his first start and thought he was excellent.

"He was like a Rolls Royce. He's got a chance, Jamal."

Eye-catching left-back experiment

Another London-born defender, Michael Parker, gave a promising display in a more unfamiliar role on the left side of Albion's back four.

Left-footed centre-back Parker, a signing last summer from Burnley, has mostly been used in the middle of defence this term but Beale selected him at left-back.

Parker, also previously of Huddersfield and Shrewsbury, was very adventurous and willing to get forward. He gave several examples of searing pace to really damage the north east visitors, particularly for Albion's second goal.

"It's the first time we've played him as a left-back and I think it worked to be fair," Beale said of the 20-year-old. "He's got electric pace. The best thing about Michael is he's got such an energy, a positive attitude, if you asked him to play right wing he'd do it with enthusiasm!

"That's all we're looking for from the players, to be humble and hard-working. Michael's got all that in abundance, allied with pace and quality."

Mfuamba misery

The night's disappointment was an early injury to Kevin Mfuamba, who limped off inside 10 minutes. It is the latest in a series of fitness setbacks for the highly-rated midfielder's season.

He looked disappointed when trudging off to be replaced by Italian Iddrisa Dauda. Mfuamba had scans on the problem this week and the hope is the injury is not a serous one and no more than a month lay-off.

Intriguing trialist addition

Albion's squad contained a new name, winger Miller McDonald, the winger who signed a professional contract until 2026 this week.

The 18-year-old, who was a previously a Fulham youngster, was on the books of a London-based grassroots youth football set-up Fox Soccer Academy and landed a deal with the Baggies following a successful trial at under-18 level. He had also had trials at Wrexham.

McDonald made his debut as he played the final 20 minutes or so against Newcastle in a busy bow out on the right flank.

"Miller's come from a grassroots programme in London," Beale said. "He's impressed on trial, it's early days, he's still only a young lad, a second-year scholar.

"We've got really good hopes for Miller, we're going to work hard with him and are looking forward to seeing the player he turns into."

Albion recently came to an agreement to let go young forward Adriel Walker, 19, who took up an offer from Stoke on an 18-month contract. The Smethwick-born front-runner had been at Albion since aged 10. 

Left-back Josh Shaw, 21, meanwhile, has made a one-month loan move to National League North non-league outfit Marine, based in his Merseyside home region.

Under-21s midfielder Matt Richards has joined National League North Leamington on loan for the remainder of the season. He had been at Alvechurch, who play at the level below in step three, but the 20-year-old will see out the season in Warwickshire.