West Brom starlet Rayhaan Tulloch watching Daniel Sturridge to help prepare for European U17 Championships

The 17-year-old forward, who signed his first professional Albion contract last month, is expected to be part of Steve Cooper’s England squad for the Euros, which kick off on home soil next Friday, May 4.

And it could be a special moment for Walsall-based Tulloch, because England’s game against Italy in Group A is scheduled to take place at the Banks’s Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7.

Tulloch is one of Albion’s hottest young prospects, and he bagged a hat-trick for the under-18s at the weekend to take his tally for the season to 14 goals from 13 appearances.

He’s also found the net for the under-23s this season and was named on the bench for the first team when Albion visited Swansea City in December. Earlier this year, he featured for England U17s in the prestigious Algarve Tournament.

Sturridge may not have had the desired impact on the pitch for the Baggies since his loan move in January, but Tulloch has been keeping a keen eye on the Liverpool ace in training.

“Sturridge’s finishing – it’s so good,” said the 17-year-old. “He’s a quality player. In five v five in training, he’ll receive it from our goalkeeper, run a little bit and then have a long shot, and it always goes in – I don’t know how!

“I watch the way he finishes. It’s not always power finishing. It’s smart finishing that takes years of practice.

“Under 17 is a big stage. (Paul) Pogba, (Wayne) Rooney, (Mario) Gotze – they all played in this and look what they’re doing now. Everyone aspires to be like them.

“It’s exciting because one of the games is at Walsall and that’s where I live. It’s my hometown so, if selected, hopefully my friends and family will come down.

“It would mean a lot, especially for my mum (Judith) – going from taking me to football when I was nine to watching me play on the international stage now I’m 17.

“It’s a huge stage to get yourself out there and show everyone what you can do.”

England’s under-17s shot to fame last summer when they won the World Cup in India, and Tulloch is hoping this year’s crop can replicate that success.

He’s already notched at the Banks’s Stadium this season, scoring for Albion’s under-21s in a Checkatrade Trophy clash against League One Walsall.

“There’ll be a lot of support,” added the teenager. “If we get the fans behind us and get some momentum, we can dictate games. Maybe, if we get an early goal, we can start revving them up and get our mojo much quicker.

“It’s very different, coming together with a lot of top players from across the country, but I think we can overcome the other nations and bring home the win.”

Tickets for the Italy game are priced just £5 adults and £2.50 concessions.

See the stars of tomorrow in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship, 4-20 May 2018. Visit www.theFA.com/U17Euro for further information.