Academy Player Profiles 2007/08
Under-19s
MICHAEL NARDIELLO (striker, b 09/05/89): Won a two-year Albion deal in July 2006. The teenage striker, released by Liverpool, earned his Hawthorns contract after impressing during a two-week trial. The former England Under-17 international, the cousin of ex-Manchester United and current QPR forward Daniel Nardiello, was spotted by the Albion Academy scouting process.
LEE BAKER (left-back, b 20/01/89): Earned his first pro contract in July 2007 but just a week later was ruled out for the season after suffering a training ground anterior cruciate knee ligament injury. The club handed him a further year's contract three months later. He made 21 starts and two substitute appearances for Albion reserves during the 2006/07 season. Good attitude and likes to get forward.
JACK COMPTON (winger, 02/09/88): Joined from Portsmouth last November. Made 15 starts and one substitute appearance for Albion reserves during the 2006/07 season. Tricky left-winger.
Second-year scholars (Under-18s):
STEFFAN MORRISON (striker, b 14/02/90): From Aldridge and has been at the club two years. He is a fast, strong and direct centre-forward.
SCOTT MASON (centre-half/right-back, b 31/01/90): From Wolverhampton and has come through the Academy ranks at The Hawthorns. He is a reliable, consistent defender with a good range of passing.
RICKY NICHOLS (midfielder, b 04/09/89): From Walsall and has been at Albion since he was seven years old. He is an excellent attacking midfielder with great vision.
JAMES HANCOX (left-back, b 05/06/90): From Wednesbury and joined the Baggies' Academy at the age of 16. He is an aggressive tackler with a good range of passing.
ANTHONY BRUCE (midfielder, b 12/02/90): From Sutton Coldfield and has been at Albion since he was eight years old. He is blessed with good technical ability and a sting in his tackle.
JOSS LABADIE (centre-back/midfielder, b 31/08/90): From London and signed at the end of the 2005/06 season. He is a fantastic athlete with sound technical ability.
ASHLEY HOLMES (centre-half, b 22/01/90): Tall and strong in the air.
First-year scholars (Under-17s):
GAVIN CARLIN (goalkeeper, b 26/05/91): The tall shot-stopper's form has been invited on an Ireland Under-16s training camp.
DANIEL LLOYD-WESTON (goalkeeper, b 17/08/91): Joined Albion despite a number of other clubs chasing him. Tall, distributes the ball well and is a good shot stopper.
MATTHEW PIKE (centre-half, b 30/09/90): Athletic, strong and has a big character.
ZAK MARTIN (left-back, b 20/09/90): Strong-tackling, aggressive full-back.
DWAYNE SAMUELS (central-midfielder, b 11/10/90): An athletic box-to-box midfielder.
MOHAMMED SAEID (left-midfield, b 24/12/90): Skilful left wide player with good dribbling skills.
SEBASTIEN LAKE-GASKIN (striker, b 24/02/91): Creative and attack-minded player.
JOSHUA KNIGHT (striker, b 16/11/90): Wales Under-16s international. Holds the ball up, brings other players into the game and gets in behind defences.
