Aaron Connolly has been told to keep doing what he is doing - and the goals will come.

The Irish teen has not netted since his double in the 3-0 win over Tottenham on October 5.

He is a strong contender to start the return fixture on Boxing Day (12.30pm) after a lively showing off the bench in the second half against Sheffield United.

Graham Potter has been impressed by his work and says it is not all about hitting the net.

Albion’s head coach told The Argus: “If you think back to the Arsenal game, I thought he contributed enormously in terms of his pressing and his help for the team, his running in behind.

“He is that type of player who means defenders aren’t comfortable, so he opens up space for others.

“While, of course, we know he would want to score – that’s how he is and we would like him to score as well – he is not in the team necessarily for that solely.

“He is in the team to do the other things about his game.

“We know him well enough to now that if he does that consistently, then the goals will come.”

Potter said the performance in defeat by Sheffield United plus the fact there is a game at home to Bournemouth on Saturday are both factors which will influence his selection for the Tottenham game.

But Connolly would love a first start since the 2-1 win over the Gunners.

Potter said of his performance as sub against the Blades: “You could see his movement in behind.

“He got in behind a couple of times.

“It’s not so easy to do against the back five of Sheffield United but I thought he did well.

“He was unlucky from a cross by Davy Propper, the keeper did quite well.

“I think he will get better and better as he matures and we understand better how to use him. He is still in his first season.

“I had it with Dan James at Swansea.

“You have got to be careful with these types of players when they are making the step to first team football from the under-23s.”