'What's going on?' Gianluca Frabotta feeling after tough start at West Brom

Italian left-back Frabotta, 25, moved to The Hawthorns on a three-year deal as a free transfer from Italian giants Juventus in the summer.

Frabotta has yet to start a Championship fixture, though, and has featured just six times as a substitute. His sole start for the Baggies was an hour at League Two Fleetwood in the EFL Cup in August shortly after arriving.

His last appearance was a 10-minute cameo against Preston on New Year's Day under Albion's caretaker management and new boss Mowbray admits the full-back is wondering where he stands at The Hawthorns given Callum Styles has held down the left-back spot for the last three months or so.

Mowbray said: "I've tried to talk to him, yes, and he's a nice lad again, I just feel he's probably thinking 'what's going on?'

"I like Callum, to be honest. Callum's versatility is very good to the team. I need to see Frabotta, I've said to him."

Frabotta did not feature for Albion's under-21s against Newcastle on Monday, when senior players Semi Ajayi and Daryl Dike were given run outs to build up sharpness following injury.

But the Italian is likely to get his opportunity this Monday when Richard Beale's junior Baggies head to Kidderminster's Aggborough to tackle Wolves in the mini-derby. Striker Devante Cole is in a similar situation.

Mowbray, whose side travel to Millwall in the Championship on Saturday, stressed the importance of seeing Frabotta in matchday environments.

"I can bring some under-21s over and see his defensive stuff, go up against (Ollie) Bostock and let's see how you get on in that bottom corner or let's see what your left-footed crossing is like," added Mowbray. "I want to see it in a game, in the big spaces, how good his left foot is at switching play, bending it down the line, whatever he might do.

"It'll just give me more confidence when I think we need to change something, play him high up the pitch on that left foot and he just keeps whipping it in. I need the confidence in my mind that is what he does, so I can picture him in our team not worrying about the things he might not be great at, but concentrating about the things he's good at and utilising those assets.

"But I need to see it in a game, I would suggest an under-21s game down the line so I can be there to watch and give me confidence."