'Intriguing plans' and 'big opportunities ahead' - West Brom pre-season prospects

New Albion head coach Ryan Mason is running the rule over the squad he inherited earlier this summer and that will include an opportunity to assess the club's young talent.

Promoting youngsters from within is as important to the Baggies as ever and there is an optimism Albion can build on recent successes.

Youngsters are set to have an opportunity to catch the eye in the games ahead - the Baggies face Dynamo Kyiv at their Austria camp on Friday before domestic games at Blackpool and Lincoln, as well as a Hawthorns clash against Rayo Vallecano.

Mason's troops have already completed one behind-closed-doors training ground fixture, against newly-promoted League One outfit Port Vale at the training ground in Walsall on Friday, a 2-0 win.

Midfielder Jayson Molumby was uninvolved as he serves a suspension for friendly fixtures after last summer's brawl against Real Mallorca in a behind-closed-doors game. Kyle Bartley was another notable absence. Josh Maja is completing his own fitness programme and Tom Fellows only returned after England under-21 duty that day.

One youngster, striker Eseosa Sule who recently signed a new deal, is reportedly set for a loan at Motherwell.

Several academy players were named in the squad. Here, we detail who is who in an important summer ahead.

Starters:

Harry Whitwell

A Baggies prospect who needs little introduction.

The 19-year-old midfielder, from Oxford, has been on the fringes of first-team contention for some time. A regular trainer under Carlos Corberan, he made his senior debut in the FA Cup in January 2024 and was handed a Championship cameo on the final day of last season.

A loan has been mooted for some time for the rangy, athletic, attack-minded midfielder. There will be interest again, and Albion's plans for Whitwell will be intriguing. Contracted until next summer.

Kevin Mfuamba

Starting alongside Whitwell and Alex Mowatt in Albion's midfield against Vale was a show of faith in the 18-year-old.

Mfuamba, a combative central midfielder and England youth international, is yet to make his senior debut though has been on the bench in the EFL Cup and FA Cup. Last season was disrupted by a couple of frustrating injuries and the teen, who has been with Albion since he was eight, will hope for more regular football this term.

Substitutes:

Caleb Taylor

​The eldest and most experienced of this particular crop, Taylor can now be considered an first-team squad member, though is looking for that opportunity of a breakthrough Baggies campaign amid stiff competition.

The 6ft 5ins stopper, 22, has cut his teeth at Cheltenham, Bolton and Wycombe and hopes remain high. Albion are not believed to be interested in a sale as Taylor could find more first-team exposure this term with the future of the ageing Bartley, 34, in the air.

Alex Williams

A less familiar figure to fans - though not of staff who rate him highly - is that of Wales youth international right-back Williams.

The 20-year-old has agreed a new one-year contract, with the option of another 12 months, a reward for progress in the age groups. A committed defender who enjoys playing on the front foot, he had non-league loan exposure last season and will look at catch the eye with Darnell Furlong the only recognised senior right-back.

Jamal Mohammed

Thought of extremely highly, London-born centre-back Mohammed, 19, last season returned from 17 months injured due to a complicated ACL setback.

A dominant figure but very cool in possession, intrigue surrounds the next steps for Mohammed, who seemed to return from his year-and-half on the sidelines seamlessly. In an exclusive interview with the Express & Star he admitted modelling his game on Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.

Mohammed burst on to the scene in friendlies two years ago and will hope to do so again, this time under Mason.

Cole Deeming

Central midfielder Deeming, who only turned 18 in January, is Baggies through and through.

The left-footed midfielder is technically assured and confident in the final third and around the edge of the opposition penalty area.

He has been under-18s captain and made a big impression on the under-21s. He will target that - and more - moving forward.

Dauda Iddrisa

Another central midfield talent coming through the Baggies' age groups is Italy youth international Iddrisa.

Not 18 until January, little was known of the versatile, tenacious Iddrisa when he was named in Albion's friendly squad last summer at 16. He moved to England in his early teens and, initially a defender, has developed into a talented defensive midfielder.

Iddrisa has already clocked up 14 caps for Italy under-17s and has time on his side. He will look to kick on for the under-21s - who have still to name Richard Beale's successor - this season and catch the eye in pre-season training and friendly cameos.

Ollie Bostock

A livewire attacking talent, much is expected of Wales youth international winger Bostock, 18, who has really caught the eye in recent years. He scored from the bench to make it 2-0 against Vale last Friday.

Bostock, who is based in Lichfield, is most at home on the left of attack and enjoys cutting in on his right foot. He has represented Albion since he was six and has already been in the goals at under-19 level for Wales.

Injury denied him a senior debut at the start of last season and Bostock will be looking to make up for lost time and further enhance his glowing reputation.