Tony Mowbray on 'low maintenance' Torbjorn Heggem as West Brom boss drops left back hint

The left sided centre back arrived from IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden as an unknown quantity for just £525,000 - and just eight months after his arrival, that fee seems like a bargain.

Heggem, who has three Norway caps to his name, has started every single Albion game so far and following Alex Palmer's January exit, has played more minutes than any other player.

The 26-year-old was highly praised by former boss Carlo Corberan for his contributions earlier in the campaign - and it seems Tony Mowbray has been equally impressed with what he brings to the side.

Mowbray was questioned about Heggem's impact at The Hawthorns on Thursday's press conference - and reeled off the top qualities he sees in the Norwegian.

He explained: "He's a very low maintenance footballer really. He just gets on with the job and does the job. He plays wherever you ask him to play.

"I have had a few chats with him about trying to step in a little bit more with the ball because he is actually really comfortable with it. He is fast when he needs to be, he put his foot on the gas once the other day where he looked second best and got there.

"He has got really good attributes. He is not a gregarious outgoing character who you know he's around everyday. He just quietly gets on with it and is pretty good when he is getting on with what he does.

"He is very committed, wants to win everything that he does even the small sided games, very competitive. We are delighted he is contributing and hopefully he can be here a long time. We are enjoying him."

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Heggem start the season at left back and excelled with a string of fine performances, despite his preferred position being in the centre.

He was moved into the centre of defence following a mini injury crisis early in the season, and has stayed there ever since.

But Mowbray is open to using the defender as a full back in the future if he needs to and praised Heggem's versatility, which he believes is key in the modern game.

He added: "The point is the mobility sometimes with players who play in wide areas and I think he has undoubtedly got the mobility.

"He has got the strength, he could be an asset as Darnell is down the right. 

"He has got some strings to his bow that are good. Most coaches like these players that are versatile and he is very much versatile. We are delighted he is here."