‘Very possible’ – Exclusive: Phillips tips West Brom youngster to be handed first-team chance
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips can see Kyle Edwards being handed more chances to shine for West Brom in the final nine games of the season.
Albion resume their bid to win promotion from the Championship on Saturday with a clash against Birmingham City at The Hawthorns.
Edwards, 22, is unlikely to start with Grady Diangana back from injury but the Dudley-born attacker has impressed at times this season and especially at Old Trafford last week when he scored and assisted a goal in a warm-up match against Manchester United.
Ex-Albion forward Phillips believes Edwards will get more opportunities to impress but only once the Baggies get promotion sealed.
“It’s very possible he’ll get a run-out before the end of the season,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“As I said before, Slaven will go with the strongest team he can to try and get over the line as quickly as possible. Then it’ll be the chance for those who’ve performed well in training to get match experience.
“If West Brom were not to get the right results and it went right down to the wire then possibly not. Slaven will go as strong as he can for as long as he can, as long as everyone stays fit.
“But certainly if there were any issues with other players, Edwards will get a runout.”
We would all love to see more of Edwards in the final nine matches of this season because it’s unlikely he will get much of a chance in the Premier League next term – if West Brom go up.
Edwards has played a lot more football than he’s used to this season by appearing 28 times in all competitions, scoring two goals and supplying three assists in the process.
Unfortunately for him, Bilic has a lot of strength in depth on the wings and Edwards is going to be third-choice left-winger behind Diangana and Callum Robinson.
But, as Phillips says, Edwards could be used more often if promotion is tied up early.
In other West Brom news, it has been suggested this 29-year-old signed by Tony Pulis could leave in the next transfer window.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.