Academy manager Mark Harrison urges West Brom youngsters to grab chance in Austria

Sam Field and Rekeem Harper have travelled out to Austria with the first-team squad, where they have a chance to move up a rung in Pulis’s plans following Darren Fletcher’s departure to Stoke.

Pulis is keen to sign a central midfielder this summer, but is currently more concerned with his lack of options at centre-back.

And Harrison reckons the pair can now stake an early claim for Fletcher’s vacant position.

“It was sad to see Darren go because he was fantastic role model for the young players in particular,” said the academy manager. “But players move on, and it is now an opportunity for others.”

“We think a lot of Sam, not only as a footballer but as a person. Tony has seen those attributes as well, Tony knows he can rely on him.

"Sam’s one of those players who can be underrated, his ability to maintain possession can be overlooked, but he has a maturity beyond his years.”

Pulis pulled Field out of England’s U19 team for this month’s European U19 Championships in order to take him to Austria.

The lifelong Albion fan made 10 appearances last season, and started five games and is expected to play a larger part next season.

Coaching staff believe 17-year-old Harper will be the next youngster to break through.

The athletic box-to-box midfielder has been training with the first team for several months and was named on the bench four times last season.

It’s also a big chance for Tyler Roberts, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Shrewsbury Town in the second half of last season.

“We’ve had Tyler since he was seven years of age, we all know what potential Tyler has,” said Harrison. “We’ll just see how pre-season goes with the first team.

“There’s already some loan enquiries regarding Tyler but the first team staff want to spend some time with him and then we’ll review it after a few weeks of pre-season with (technical director) Nick Hammond and the manager.

“Tyler’s got the opportunity now in pre-season to impress the first team staff. He’s still young, only 18.

“It’s important that they’re development plans are put with long term view not short term view.

“Compare Tyler to Harry Kane and Chris Wood, top scorers in the top two divisions last season. Look how many loans they had. The good thing is he’s got some options.”

Centre-back Dara O’Shea and left-back Max Melbourne, who are both 18, have also travelled to Austria, as has 18-year-old winger Jonathan Leko and 17-year-old full-back Kane Wilson.

Promising youngsters who didn’t travel, like Jack Fitzwater, Shaun Donnellan, and Kyle Edwards, are now being found loan clubs for the coming season.

“Some of the players haven’t gone out there because at the minute we’ve got clubs discussing potential loans,” explained Harrison.

“We just felt that it’s probably better that we keep some back. Those clubs will want them to join up with them as quick as possible.”