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Tony Pulis confident in West Brom's teen sensaton Kane Wilson

TORQUAY, UNITED KINGDOM - AUGUST 01: Kane Wilson of West Bromwich Albion during the Pre Season Friendly Match between Torquay United and West Bromwich Albi
Image: Kane Wilson could become first player born since 2000 to play in Premier League

Tony Pulis will have no qualms about making Kane Wilson the Premier League's first '21st Century boy' this weekend.

Wilson could become the first player born since 2000 to play in England's top division when West Brom face Middlesbrough at The Hawthorns on Sunday.

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The 16-year-old defender made his senior debut in Tuesday's EFL Cup defeat at Northampton when he replaced injured Everton loanee Brendan Galloway with 20 minutes remaining in normal time.

With Galloway unlikely to be fit to face Boro because of a hamstring problem Wilson could even make a first start, something that would not give Pulis any concerns.

"No, not at all, he's a fantastic lad," he said. "Kane needs work in certain areas, because he still gets very flat on the ball and his positional sense at times is poor but he is only 16 years of age and when you look at his attributes he's a very, very good athlete, he has great touch and great composure.

Tony Pulis was not happy with a draw at Bournemouth
Image: Tony Pulis feels he has some exciting young prospects at The Hawthorns

"I really do think he has a bright future but as I have said - and I have had him into my office on numerous occasions - it is keeping your feet on the ground and not getting carried away.

"You see so many people who get in and play well but then lose their way, but these will be managed properly, there is no way they will get away with that at this football club.

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West Brom manager Tony Pulis says he will not sign players just for the sake of it before the end of the transfer window

"Fingers crossed [Wilson and fellow youngsters Jonathan Leko and Sam Field] will just get better and better. I am hoping this season will be a breakthrough for them, that they will get quite a few games and then they will just keep going forward."

It has been a whirlwind week for Wilson who, two days after his debut at Sixfields, received his GCSE results.

Two As, four Bs and five Cs left Wilson a happy teenager, although there was disappointment at his failure to make the top grade in physical education.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23:  Kane Wilson of West Bromwich Albion in action during the EFL Cup second round match between Northampton Town and West Br
Image: Wilson made his senior West Brom debut off the bench at Northampton on Tuesday

"My family came to pick me up from training and they had been to collect my results from my school," he told the club's official site.

"I couldn't wait and had to open them in the car. When I read the results out we all went crazy, I was delighted with them.

"I got A's in ICT and citizenship and then B's in English and physics. I only got a B in PE, though, so I don't know what has gone wrong there, I'm gutted about that."

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