LEON Barnett is relishing the chance to pit his wits against the Premier League's finest next season after a rapid rise to the top.

The 22-year-old centre-half had not played Championship football until two seasons ago in what was his first real professional campaign.

But he will now be out to stop the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas next term after playing a huge part in sealing Albion's return to the top-flight.

"Hopefully we will be better suited to the Premier League," said Barnett.

"The majority of teams do play our sort of football and we're not going to be pushovers.

"If people think that then they will have another thing coming.

"Personally, I just want to play.

"I don't know where we're going to finish or how we're going to do.

"But when we're at our best, there are not many teams who can beat us.

"This is a completely different style of football from when I played at Luton.

"No disrespect to Luton, I did my best for them, but they don't play as good a football as West Brom.

"I came here to learn and now I've got the chance to learn my trade in the Premier League, which is a massive assignment.

"I'd like to think I could go on like Curtis Davies has and do well for West Brom.

"I've just got to start again next season and concentrate on trying to get my place."

Barnett has been in and out of the side throughout the season since his £2.5million summer move.

But, after coming on as a 28th-minute substitute for Martin Albrechtsen in a late win at Blackpool, he has held down his place in the last four games to help Albion over the finishing line - even scoring a crucial equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Watford.

And he believes he can only continue learning from the older heads in the Baggies camp next season.

"The gaffer will be concentrating on trying to stay in the league and personally I want to play - and win - as many games in the Premier League as possible," he added.

"At the start of this season, the manager brought in quite a few players, so anything could happen.

"He could buy loads of players, but I think the players we have got at the moment are adequate for the Premier League.

"I don't see why a lot of them couldn't hold their own at that level and push on.

"Zoltan Gera, Dean Kiely, Jonathan Greening, Neil Clement and Kevin Phillips have all done it before.

"We're training week in, week out and we're working hard every day which all rubs off on the team.

"To come up against players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Cesc Fabregas is a boyhood dream.

"I'm really looking forward to that challenge.

"It's a massive step for players like me and the older heads can help the younger ones."

Barnett has now set his sights on rounding the season off in style by beating QPR at Loftus Road on Sunday (ko 2pm) to clinch the title and break the 80-point barrier.

"Now we've got to go to QPR on Sunday and get a result to win the league," he said.

"The season isn't over for us and hopefully we can get a win at QPR to win the title.

"Once you get promoted you don't want to lose out in the last game of the season."

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