Jovan Malcolm says he’s determined to take his chance when Albion’s PL2 side play their second Premier League Cup group stage match against Middlesbrough on Monday night (ko 6pm).
The young Baggies travel to Heritage Park having seen off the Teesside outfit in their previous league game, winning 5-2 against Boro’s youngsters at Keys Park last Monday.
Malcolm was on the scoresheet in his last PL Cup outing during the 4-0 win over Watford, and the striker has played his part in the U21s’ recent success in the attacking third, chipping in with a goal and an assist over the last two league games.
While not starting every match has provided its difficulties for Jovan this term, the 19-year-old says it’s fuelled his desire to “earn the right to play”, and the attacker insists he and his team-mates will be looking to show that in the North East on Monday.
"We’ve found a good balance within the squad and a way to play that suits us.
"Everyone’s impacting the games we play and not just the starting XI, and that’s improving game-by-game.
“We’re in a good place as a team, but it’s important to stay consistent and focused so we can carry on pushing to get three points each week.
“Keeping my head and not getting too frustrated has been a big thing for me this year. I’ve been using it as fuel to perform better when I do get on the pitch.
“It’s about earning the right to play and when you’re making the next step towards first-team football, you have to realise you won’t be playing every week.
“Sometimes you have to wait your turn and it’s about what you do while you’re waiting to make you ready for when your chance comes.
“The boys are always up for the cup games and it’s another job for us to do.
“Middlesbrough will have more support this time around, but it’s up to us to silence the crowd and get the win.
“It’s a mindset test for us on Monday having won against them last week. It’s about staying ruthless and a few changes to the team will help because boys will want to come in and prove a point."
