Jake Robinson gave Mark McGhee a timely reminder he could be the answer to Albion's striking dilemma ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland.
Robinson boosted his chances of stepping in to replace the suspended Adam Virgo at the Stadium of Light with a well-taken goal in the reserves' 4-2 victory over MK Dons yesterday.
With Virgo missing and Chris McPhee still injured McGhee could turn to Robinson to form a diminutive strike-pairing with Leon Knight.
The 18-year-old has only started one game this season, in the 1-1 draw against Coventry in August, as well as making five substitute appearance but may get the nod ahead of Maheta Molango unless McGhee opts to play Knight as a lone striker.
Reserves boss Dean White said: "Jake took his goal well and could have two or three more. He looked sharp so he could well be an option to consider for the Sunderland game.
"Maheta also worked hard up front and neither of them could have done any more to push their cases. It depends on what system we play on Saturday."
Paul Watson capped his first 90 minutes since undergoing an operation on his back with two goals from free kicks while John Piercy (collitis) also came through his first full game unscathed. Darren Budd completed the scoring.
Danny Cullip and Alexis Nicolas are both in contention for Saturday after returning to training.
Meanwhile, all 2,600 tickets for Albion's trip to West Ham on November 13 have been sold.
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