Slaven Bilic has heaped praise on West Brom midfielder Rekeem Harper for the progress he has made in recent weeks.

Harper was a key player for Albion last season, making 23 appearances across all competitions, but made only one Championship appearance for the Baggies in the first half of this season.

After featuring for Bilic’s side in the opening day victory over Nottingham Forest, it took Harper six months to make his second league appearance this term, but he has featured twice since the season’s restart and made a positive impression.

Harper played an influential role in the 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, as Bilic’s side returned to winning ways and put the pressure back on Brentford in the race for automatic promotion.

Speaking to the Express and Star, Bilic hailed the progress made by the 20-year-old in recent weeks, saying: “Rekeem is one of the players who has made the biggest progress since lockdown, and before lockdown as well.

“In the beginning, he wasn’t consistent. He was showing glimpses of his talent and ability, but not all the time.

“Rekeem had started to play really well, he had started to train consistently – power, movement, tactics, stamina, skill, everything. He’s becoming more and more mature.

“I never denied that I love him as a player – I love those kind of players, who are powerhouses but can pass the ball, that’s great. He’s in a good way, let’s be honest, but he cannot stop, he must keep working.”

Bilic will be urging his side to record back-to-back wins since the season’s restart on Sunday afternoon, as they prepare to take on struggling Hull City at the Hawthorns.

The Verdict

Fair play to Harper for working hard, keeping his head down and forcing his way into the team.

It seems has attitude has been spot on since the season’s restart and he will be wanting to keep his place in the team between now and the end of the season.

Albion have such a large, talented squad and he is using it to full effect.