West Brom boss Tony Pulis is delighted with the emergence of Sam Field this season.

Pulis admits he doesn't want the promising teenager playing under-23s football next season.

“Sam's had a real good taste of it," said Pulis. “He's done very well and we've been very pleased.

“We've got a problem in the country with the academy. Up to 18 it's ok, but from 18 to 23 we've got a massive void.

“The club's have got to understand these top kids need to be able to play men's football, they can't be wallowing away in kids football at 17 or 18 if they're Premier League quality.

“The academy system is not all that it should be in my opinion.

“If you're going to spend the amount of money clubs are spending on academies now you've got to put in place something that will get them as close as you possibly can to Premier League football.

“The gap between under-23s and Premier League football is just outrageous."