Ben Brown

Thu 28 April 2022 8:08, UK

West Brom boss Steve Bruce has backed youngster Taylor Gardner-Hickman to make a big impact at The Hawthorns next season.

The academy graduate has enjoyed a breakout season in the Championship, making 18 appearances across various positions as the Baggies have endured an underwhelming return to the second tier.

All eyes are now on mounting a more credible promotion push next term and Bruce has backed the 20-year-old to be a key part of that effort.

“He has done very, very, well for us in midfield,” he told the Express & Star (28 April)

“His best position is probably full-back, he thinks it is, but he has done well in midfield.

“He’s young. He’s desperately eager to succeed. He is one of our own and that always goes down well.

“He has had a decent start to his career. And we’re looking at big things for next season and if there is anyone else in the academy who can follow his lead.”

Bright Spark

It’s always nice to see a player make it to the first team from the academy and Gardner-Hickman is no different.

Given the disappointing nature of the season his emergence can be seen as one of the only real positives of the campaign, with the experience gained from this season hopefully preparing him well for a full calendar next time around.

His versatility could prove key for Bruce as he looks to effectively balance a squad which requires major surgery to make promotion a realistic aim next season, with the finances available to do that work unlikely to be too hefty.

Streetwise decisions will have to be made throughout the club and the integration of Gardner-Hickman into a more prominent first team role seems like a first logical step in the rebuild.

After his latest comments Bruce certainly seems to agree with that sentiment.

In other West Brom news, Bruce revealed this key player had been playing through injury for much of the season.

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