'Do a lot more' - West Brom boss issues Kareem Tunde and Tammer Bany challenge after u21s action
James Morrison was at Kidderminster Harriers’ Aggborough on Monday evening to run the rule over the youngsters - and two first-team attackers.
Albion boss James Morrison wants summer signing Kareem Tunde to do more in a bid for regular action.
The 21-year-old winger, a late summer recruit from Levante in Spain, has started just once for his new club so far, at the beginning of September, with just three more cameos from the bench.
Tunde had a useful international break working on a breakthrough into Morrison’s side, before a knock curtailed progress again. He was an unused substitute against Blackburn last week.
Tunde is one of just a couple of natural wide players in the squad - with Mikey Johnston a long-term injury victim. It was hoped the Spaniard would help add some pace to the Baggies ranks, but he has struggled to get going so far.
“Yes (he can get back) - he’s got to keep working and we’ll work him day-to-day,” Morrison said after watching Tunde play an hour in Monday’s 2-1 defeat for Albion under-21s against rivals Wolves.
“I’m looking to get him going again, but he’s got to show me as well that he’ll be ready for it.
“I went and watched him on Monday night. He looked sharp. I think he can still do a lot more for his talent.
“But, yes, I’ll still waiting for him to come.”
Tunde’s sole start against Charlton on September 2 lasted just 45 minutes with the winger visibly tired.
Another on show for Albion’s under-21s on Monday night was attacker Tammer Bany, whose only club minutes this season came in a brief cameo at Newcastle in the EFL Cup.
Bany turned 23 on Monday but his birthday performance against Wolves’ youngsters was a quiet one. It has been one injury or fitness blow after another since his £3.4million transfer almost two years ago.
Calls from curious Jordan international fans - who Bany represents - have increased on Albion’s social media pages at his continued absence.
“At least the social media is going up!” Morrison smiled.
“Again - he’s working well. With any player coming back from injury, you’ve got to be patient, you’ve got to be ready.
“There’s competition with him. Unfortunately the games have been really tight at the moment - but his time will come.”