Evans: Howkins on the right track
West Brom have a number of talented young players out on loan this season all looking to develop their game and hopefully secure a place in Tony Pulis’ first-team plans for next season.
One of those players is young defender Kyle Howkins, who is spending the season with League Two outfit Mansfield Town.
The 20-year-old centre-back has featured regularly for Mansfield this season, making 17 appearances in all competitions but Howkins is yet to make his senior debut for the Baggies.
Mansfield boss Steve Evans, a 22-year veteran of football management, taking charge of the likes of Leeds, Rotherham and Crawley in his time, has had his say on Howkins and he believes he could reach the very top.
“He’s been excellent in all honesty,” Evans is quoted as saying by the Express and Star. “He’s a big lad, strong, competitive, and has got a fantastic attitude.
“He’s technically good as well, he’s at the top end of the technical ability for League Two. He’s got a lot to do to become a Premier League player but he’s on the right track.”
Howkins will return to West Brom at the end of the season but his current contract is set to expire on June 30th, so this loan spell really is to prove himself to the Baggies staff that he’s worth keeping for the future.