One of West Bromwich Albion's most successful talent scouts has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, report Albion News (via the Express and Star).

Kevin Dove, who is credited with spotting the likes of Sam Field, Kemar Roofe, Romain Sawyers and Rayhaan Tulloch, will retire from his post when the current campaign comes to an end.

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He has been at the club since 1999, overseeing some of the academy's most successful spells and was the person who convinced the club to hang onto Field instead of releasing him.

West Brom picked up a badly needed three points last weekend when they saw off Preston North End 4-1 at the Hawthorns as they head into the Easter fixtures.

Jimmy Shan and his side welcome Hull City to the West Midlands on Good Friday before travelling to relegation threatened Reading on Easter Monday.

The verdict

It remains to be seen how big a blow this will be to West Brom but it is certainly a shame to see.

Dove has clearly performed a good service to the Baggies, filling the academy with talented youngsters, and it is now down to whoever comes in to make sure it is fully utilised.

The likes of Rekeem Harper and Kyle Edwards have shown that the youngsters can cut it.