West Brom are planning for life in the Championship next season after a heartbreaking play-off semi-final defeat on penalties to Aston Villa earlier this month.

Inevitably, everyone connected to Albion will have been looking back at key moments in the season and wondering how things could've turned out differently.

And, skipper Chris Brunt had one particular moment that cost the Baggies - losing Harvey Barnes.

The talented winger arrived in the summer on loan from Leicester and immediately established himself as a key player for the side, with his pace, energy and skill giving the side a real outlet from out wide.

He also contributed a lot in the final third, with nine goals and six assists in the league by the time he was recalled in January.

Speaking to the Express & Star, Brunt claimed Albion would have finished in the top two had the England U21 international stayed and you can see why.

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Jacob Murphy and Jefferson Montero arrived as replacements for Barnes late in the winter window but they didn't have the same impact.

The duo only managed three league goals and five assists combined - a big drop off from what the Leicester loanee had delivered.

As well as that, it disrupted the balance of the team. Neither of the players coming in had the same energy and ability to hurt teams on the counter like Barnes did.

Of course, loans are always risky and you never know exactly how things will work out but Barnes was an example of a loan working to perfection.

The moment he returned was a significant blow for the Baggies and it will have left fans wondering what might've been if the Foxes didn't have that January recall clause in the deal.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.