Albion winger Solly March believes missing out on the chance to play for Newcastle has been a “blessing in disguise”.

March abandoned a trial with today’s hosts when he was a schoolboy due to illness.

He signed for Albion months later and is poised to make his 45th Premier League appearance for the club at St James’ Park today.

March, 24, told The Argus: “I was just playing for Lewes and the school.

“There was contact and talks of getting somewhere and clubs interested.

“I travelled up with my dad and Rob (agent Robert Codner). We got the train up.

“It was a long journey and then I just ended up coming home.

“I was ill. Maybe it was nerves, probably a lot of things played a part.

“I got to the training ground, just about. I watched training. I wasn’t in a state to train so I thought I had better not, it’s not going to make me look good.

"We called it a day and went back home. It has worked out now, so maybe it was a little blessing in disguise.

“Living up there at that age, for me it would have been hard to move away with people I didn’t know.

“That is the type of person I am, so I think it was a good thing.”

March is among five players who have started all eight of Albion’s Premier League games this season.

Glenn Murray, on the bench for the last away match at Manchester City, is one goal away from posting a century for the club after scoring his fifth of the season in the last outing at home to West Ham.

March joked: “Hopefully he gets there sooner rather than later so he stops bringing it up to everyone!”