West Brom boss James Morrison explains why he's excited by new signing's potential

James Morrison reckons Albion have signed a Premier League player in the making in Toby Collyer.

The former loanee returned to the Baggies on a permanent deal from Manchester United last weekend and is on course to make his second “debut” for the club in Wednesday’s clash with Championship leaders Charlton.

Collyer’s signing is one which has particularly excited Morrison, who believes the 22-year-old can unlock his vast potential at The Hawthorns.

“I'm really pleased with that one,” said Morrison. “I've always said that I want people who want to come to the club and Toby did that.

“He had other clubs interested in him as well, but we beat the competition.

“When I worked with him here, I saw the potential of how good he can be.

“He is exactly what I like in a midfield player and I think he can grow into a Premier League player and I'm delighted that we've got him.”

Collyer made 17 appearances while on loan with the Baggies during the first half of last season but saw his progress disrupted by a calf injury.

He returned to United in January before moving to Hull, where further hamstring and ankle issues forced an early end to his campaign.

Now he is back at The Hawthorns determined to show supporters, in his own words, “what he’s about”.

Morrison said: “I think we've seen in the past where younger players have had injury problems, but once they come out of that and the body’s manageable, they flourish.

“We’re hopeful of that, but we will manage him.

“I think his output, in terms of physicality numbers, is a factor because they skyrocket.

“They probably blow anyone out of our squad, in terms of numbers physically and what he puts out.”

The boss continued: “I was always speaking to him when he wasn't here because I liked him as a person, I cared about him and I could see his potential and where he was trying to get to.

“Even when he was at Hull I kept in touch with him, I spoke to him when he played against us at home. I think Toby just needs a chance in a home to succeed.”

Wednesday night is a return home for Albion after back-to-back long distance trips to Newcastle and Middlesbrough, both of which ended in defeat despite positive performances.

Morrison’s men beat Burnley in their opening home match of the season and the boss believes his team’s impressive start will now mean they get more respect from opposing sides.

“We have that tag really on our backs because of what we have done at the start of the season,” he said.

“They might come and change some of the things they’ve been doing, to give us a different problem in those terms.

“It is up to the lads now. I have said it for a couple of weeks about remaining on that level and standard.

“Anywhere in this division we are a big victory, a scalp, especially at The Hawthorns.

“We always have that on our backs. You saw against Burnley the excitement in the stadium, the passion and the noise. Teams will be coming here with a motivation against us.”