Albion U23’s manager Simon Rusk says it is brilliant for the more inexperience players in his squad to have Andrew Crofts playing alongside them.

The 36-year-old midfielder, who is player-assistant for the U23’s played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night, as Albion were beaten 2-0 by League One side AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Trophy.

Rusk had to use some of the U18’s, with several of his players being involved in Albion’s squad for their game against Preston last night in the Carabao Cup.

However, Rusk admits having the vastly experience Crofts is a real bonus for his side.

He said: “The positives of having Crofty’s (Crofts) experience it speaks for itself from his day to day in the dressing room and on the training ground.

“There was a lot of first team players on that pitch with that experience for Wimbledon, so having Crofty in the thick of it for ours lads is brilliant.”

One player who shone for Albion was Jensen Weir.

Weir joined Albion from Wigan over the summer.

He showed his quality on the ball against Wimbledon and Rusk says he is just getting started.

He said: “Jensen settled into the group and the club fine.

“He has got some good qualities hence why we brought him to the club.

“Jensen is great to work with, he is a great professional and in the last couple of games he is starting to find his feet.”

Albion U23’s have a busy schedule with three games in the space of a week.

Rusk have been without a number of players this season, after their involvement in Graham Potter’s squad for the cup.

Despite the games coming thick and fast for Rusk admits they are enjoying it.

He said: “We’ve got quite a few of the lads involved in the setup for the Carabao Cup and that’s brilliant.

“We have Chelsea at home in the league on Friday night and then potentially another EFL Trophy game followed by West Ham in the league as well.

“It has been a long time without football so we’re loving every minute of it, it’s a busy period but we’ve tackling the games as best we can.”