West Bromwich Albion youngster Rayhaan Tulloch is preparing himself for the European U17 Championships next week by watching Daniel Sturridge in training.

The highly rated 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with Albion last week and is expected to be part of Steve Cooper's England squad for the European Championships, which start next Friday, May 7.

"Sturridge's finishing – it's so good," said the 17-year-old. "He's a quality player. In five v five in training, he'll receive it from our goalkeeper, run a little bit and then have a long shot, and it always goes in – I don't know how!

"I watch the way he finishes. It's not always power finishing. It's smart finishing that takes years of practice.

"Under 17 is a big stage. (Paul) Pogba, (Wayne) Rooney, (Mario) Gotze – they all played in this and look what they're doing now. Everyone aspires to be like them.

"It's exciting because one of the games is at Walsall and that's where I live. It's my hometown so, if selected, hopefully my friends and family will come down.

"It would mean a lot, especially for my mum (Judith) – going from taking me to football when I was nine to watching me play on the international stage now I'm 17.

"It's a huge stage to get yourself out there and show everyone what you can do."