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Rekeem Harper is an asset for West Brom, insists Slaven Bilic

Slaven Bilic has refused to rule out a loan move for Rekeem Harper, but says he would rather keep the midfielder at Albion.

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Rekeem Harper of West Bromwich Albion applauds the travelling West Bromwich Albion Fans at the end of the match as he celebrates the 0-1 victory and progress to the next round of the Cup (AMA)

Harper became one of the most talked about teenagers in the country after impressing in 23 outings for the Baggies last season. That form saw him linked with moves to Tottenham and Celtic before Bilic convinced him to pen a new deal at The Hawthorns.

This year, though, he has found himself out of the first-team picture with the 19-year-old having largely been consigned to the under-23s.

But the central midfielder seized his chance to impress in Albion’s FA Cup win at Charlton yesterday. And Bilic says performances like that will see him force his way back into the Baggies first-team.

“If we think about him and only him, then a loan could help him, but I have to put the club first,” Bilic said when asked if he’s considered sending Harper out on loan. “When he plays like he did at Charlton I would rather keep him. Definitely. He was very good, he was very aggressive, very dominant. I was extremely pleased with him. He was a big plus for us and I’m very glad about that.”

Earlier in the season, Bilic told Harper he needed to work harder to be involved in Albion’s first-team. But the head coach is now delighted with the shape the 19-year-old is in. “His talent was never in doubt, I was the one who persuaded him to stay and sign a contract,” Bilic continued. “Why he hasn’t had a chance so far is because of the quality we have in midfield.

“And he knows, I spoke with him, not about complacency but about giving absolutely everything he can. Bilic said: “Not now, a couple of months ago, not now. Now he is training hard but that is why he is in good shape.”

Bilic felt Harper played with real maturity against the Addicks

“Sometimes for the under-23s he is dominant but he makes mistakes,” the head coach added.

“But against Charlton he wasn’t making those mistakes and he was still taking risks, he was trying to have an effect and impact the game.

“He didn’t make mistakes on the ball, he was very aggressive and he was almost never out of position. He was a big plus.”