This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

In the Championship, West Brom have enjoyed a solid start to the season, taking seven points from a possible nine in their first three fixtures, ahead of the visit of Reading to the Hawthorns on Wednesday night.

One option open to Baggies manager Slaven Bilic is whether to start summer signing Charlie Austin, who scored on his debut in the Carabao Cup defeat to Millwall, before coming off the bench last time out in the league, in the win over Luton Town.

So should Bilic look to be promoting Austin to the starting XI?

We discuss........

Chris Gallagher

"It should be an easy decision for the new boss.

"Quite simply, Austin is the best number nine at the club and he has to get a start at home to Reading tomorrow.

"Kenneth Zohore has really struggled since making the move from Cardiff and whilst he offers a physical presence up top, he doesn't provide the same goal threat as the ex-Southampton man.

"Albion have played good football under Bilic but they haven't got any goals from a striker yet, which has to be a slight concern. I'm sure that will change once Austin gets his opportunity and that has to happen against the Royals.

"With the likes of Phillips, Krovinovic and Diangana providing chances, you would back the 30-year-old to start firing pretty quickly."

Louie Chandler

"I think it is probably time.

"Obviously, it should only be done once the club are confident in his fitness, but he is clearly their most threatening source of goals.

"He knows the Championship well and will have a point to prove having dropped down the Premier League.

"Promising flashes have been shown in the opening matches of the season, but it is surely time he is thrown in from the start - whether that is in place of Zohore or alongside him is another matter, however."

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George Harbey

“He’s got to be a regular starter from now on, I think it was all about getting him up to match fitness really.

“Charlie Austin is a fantastic striker, and in my opinion, he’s too good to be playing in the Championship, so when you have a player of that quality in your squad, he has to start.

“People forget how clinical he was for QPR in the Championship under Harry Redknapp – he was an absolute joy to watch.

“Once he gets off the mark in the league, he won’t stop scoring.

“Kenneth Zohore hasn’t really made an impact at all so far, so Austin has to come in from now on.”