Tottenham loanee Will Lankshear may hold key to West Brom promotion ambitions
West Brom currently find themselves sitting sixth in the table but level on points with Middlesbrough in seventh, showing how close the Championship table is.
Tony Mowbray is keen to have his side sitting in the top six by the end of the campaign but will know there is plenty of football yet to be played.
Furthermore, with top scorer Josh Maja sidelined for the time being through injury, the boss will be well aware there is a gap to be filled in the side.
The Baggies did strengthen their side during the winter transfer window, and with Adam Armstrong signing on loan from Southampton until the end of the campaign, there is certainly the promise of reinforcements there.
However, someone else who is keen to make an impact up front is fellow loan-signing Will Lankshear, who joined from Tottenham.
Speaking to West Brom’s official website [6 February], the 19-year-old said he is keen to show his quality as he said: “This is a massive opportunity for me to show what I can do.
“West Bromwich Albion is a really big club and I’m really grateful to be here. I can’t wait to get going and hopefully score lots of goals.”
Will Lankshear has opportunity to impress at West Brom
Although Armstrong will surely be the favourable option to come and offer his services at the top end of the pitch given his previously strong Championship form.
However, Tottenham would not have sanctioned a loan exit for their young forward unless there was a guarantee of getting minutes under his belt suggesting Mowbray will be using him in the side too.
This is Lankshear’s first proper experience of senior football but he has made three Premier League appearances for the Lilywhites, showing the top-flight side does see something in his ability.
With this in mind, the 19-year-old will have to take any opportunity offered to him this term to show his boss that he is able to score goals in the second tier and have a positive impact on the side.
The boss’ focus will be on his side’s top-six finish this term. However, Mowbray will also be willing to give minutes to whoever is worthy in his side and therefore, Lankshear cannot be put off by his competitors in the side but rather be pushed on by the competition.