Charlie Tasker says he is adding a new dimension to his game as he returns to full fitness.
The right-sided Albion defender from Mile Oak has overcome a back problem and played the first hour in the under-21s' 1-1 National League Cup draw at Woking on Tuesday.
He said it was “annoying” to go off soon after setting up a goal but understands why he is on restricted minutes.
The plan is to get the right-back or wing-back fully up to speed with a view to a possible loan move in January.
That is seen as the next step for a bright prospect who has been around the senior squad and played in Carabao Cup wins at Oxford United and Barnsley.
Tasker, 19, said: “It was just a little problem in my back. I had it twice now, but I think I've found the cause for it, so it’s just like prevention before training and hopefully it should be good from now on.
“It has been a good season, but it's been quite stop-start.
“Obviously, I've had some good opportunities, like two senior games and then got the opportunity to get called up for the England under-20s but I didn't get to go, unfortunately, because I did my back before that.
“It has been good and happy to be back now, something to build on and just try and finish the year strong and see what January holds.”
Tasker operated as a wing-back at Woking and was in support of Harry Howell in the first half.
He said: “This season for the 21s, I've been playing wing-back, which is a bit different.
“Normally I'm a right back so it's just learning the different roles.
“If I'm needed there in senior football, then it's another string to my bow.”
Wing-back would appear to suit Tasker’s attacking intentions but he said: “I don't know because I like to attack from deep and drive into the space.
“A lot of the time as a wing-back, you get the ball quite high up.”
Speaking about the Woking game he added: “I was very high up. So it was more looking for the ball in behind rather than getting it to feet.
“But it's just adding more strings to your bow, I guess.”
Albion were held to a 1-1 draw by the National League outfit, who were awarded a penalty for handball late on.
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Tasker said: "I think as a team, we played well but ultimately we drew the game, which wasn't enough to go through, which was unfortunate, because we didn't feel it was a penalty.
"The first half was like deal with the battles and that sort of stuff but, the 15 minutes in the second half, I thought I found a bit of joy going forward.
"It’s annoying to come off but I was on modified minutes, 60 just coming back from injury.
"But it feels like a decent performance, something to build on."
