Midfielder George Thorne has expressed his eagerness to secure his place in the West Bromwich Albion starting lineup.

Having recently been recalled from a loan spell with Championship outfit Peterborough United, 19-year-old Thorne was handed only his second Premier League start during Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford.

With fellow midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu due to travel to the African Cup of Nations next month, Thorne is hoping that he can force his way into Steve Clarke's plans on a more regular basis.

"Ultimately, I want to be a West Brom starting player. I got my chance because of a few injuries and absences and, if I get another chance, I will have to take it and give the gaffer something to think about," he told the Express & Star.

"If a situation arises where the injured players come back fit and I'm not involved we will have to sit down and look at it again.

"But, for now, I am around the team and involved so we will see what happens in the coming weeks."

Thorne joined the Baggies as a trainee in 2004.