ALBION boss Chris Hughton has hailed the progress of youngster Max Sanders as he considers involving the midfield prospect in the matchday squad against illustrious opposition for a third time.

Sanders could be on the bench again against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday if Yves Bissouma fails to recover from a hip injury.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute for Liverpool's 1-0 victory at the Amex, with Bissouma ruled out.

It was the first time the Horsham playmaker has been involved in Albion's Premier League squad.

Sanders' initial call-up came, coincidentally, as an unused substitute at Old Trafford in Albion's 2-0 exit from the FA Cup quarter-finals in March.

He led the under-23s to promotion last season, represented England under-19s in the summer in the European Championship finals and is back in Hughton's plans after a lay-off.

Hughton told The Argus: "He's a player that we like. He had an injury which set him back a little bit but, if I'm looking at our under-23s, he's one that last year was one of our main players.

"It's great to see players that have come through our system close to the first team, training with the first team and even more so on the bench."

The under-23s' new Swedish senior international Viktor Gyokeres was a substitute for the previous home league game against Everton and has appeared in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season.

Hughton brought Beram Kayal off the bench at the expense of Pascal Gross in the closing stages against Liverpool.

Hughton said of Sanders: "It's about the squad and trusting. Arguably in a two in midfield we were always going to put Beram on first, but it's great experience for him."