Evan Ferguson has been told he has nothing to prove to his Albion boss in terms of ability and potential.
But Fabian Huerzeler has suggested his young Irishman still has some work to do to get used to what is now required as part of the team plan.
It was early in the Carabao Cup two years ago that Ferguson really showed what his all-round game was about.
In a 3-0 win at Forest Green, the hitherto little-seen striker showed he was more than just a finisher.
Ferguson’s all-round game impressed that night in Gloucestershire and he scored the goal he deserved late on.
His stock was probably at its height his time last year, in the immediate aftermath of his hat-trick at home to Newcastle.
So it was probably somewhat ironic that one criticism of Ferguson then became that he needed to be more of a No.9.
That he was trying to do too much in general play.
A goal drought, as yet still ongoing, followed his superb finish at Nottingham Forest ten months ago and over the past six months there have been injury concerns.
On Saturday, he returned for his club – late against Ipswich – and for a moment memories came back of the Ferguson we saw in the last two seasons as he produced a great first touch and turn and then unleashed a right-foot curler.
Not unlike that goal at Forest, in fact. Or the second of his three against Newcastle.
This time, though, the ball curled wide of the far post.
Against Wolves, it is possible opportunity could arise again with Huerzeler surely unlikely to start either Danny Welbeck or Joao Pedro for different reasons.
Huerzeler said of Ferguson: “He doesn’t have to show me what he can do because I know what his potential is.
“I saw a lot of games of his already in the past when he played for Brighton.
“He’s a great finisher in the box. He has the whole package for a striker.”
Welbeck has two Prem goals to his name but has also impressed in the way he has got involved in the general pattern of attacking play.
And then there was that 50-yard chase back as his final act against Ipswich.
Ferguson suggested there is still a need for Ferguson to adapt to the team pattern.
He added: “It’s important that he integrates in our style of play, that he follows our principles.
“That’s the most important thing for me.
“He should do his work on the pitch in possession, out of possession.
“He should help the team and then he will have a great impact on our game for sure.”
Huerzeler initially used Julio Enciso as his frontman in the previous round, when Crawley were beaten 4-0.
But that lasted for less than ten minutes.
Injury to Matt O’Riley led to Mark O’Mahony going on in attack with Enciso dropping back a little.
O’Mahony is now out on loan at Portsmouth, where matchday involvement has been delayed by a minor ankle injury sustained on international duty.
He could return his weekend against a Burnley side where Jeremy Sarmiento, who started against Crawley, is now on loan.
Simon Adingra started and scored that night and would appear a great candidate to play against Wolves.
Of the squad which faced Crawley, Jensen Weir, Odel Offiah, Malick Yalcouye and Amario Cozier-Duberry have all since departed either permanently or on loan.
But Jakub Moder has returned to the frame and this could be the chance to get him involved.
In his eve-of-match press conference, Huerzeler made it fairly clear Jason Steele will be in goal.
We can also expect Adam Webster to play with a strong possibility we could also see Igor, Ferdi Kadioglu, Tariq Lamptey and Pervis Estupinan at some stage.
Always remembering that this cup tie is a game to win, not just an exercise in giving out playing time.
Georginio Rutter is cup-tied and it would appear unlikely we will see Lewis Dunk, Kaoru Mitoma or Welbeck.
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