Talented Brunt discovers Premier League requirements - Mowbray

Apr 1 2009 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post

Mowbray has also revealed he is in tentative talks to keep hold of loan strikers Jay Simpson and Marc-Antoine Fortune for next season, regardless of what division they are in.

The Albion boss has been impressed with both strikers and believes youngster Simpson would benefit from another season on loan from Arsenal and has raised the idea with the Gunners.

“It’s something we’ve tipped-toed into with Arsenal,” Mowbray said.

“At this moment we’ll keep those conversations in-house but it is something we’ve explored with Arsenal and we’ll see what’s decided in the longer term.

“He came on the scene and played with an innocence to his game. He gave everyone a lift and a spark, and looked very, very bright.

“The ability is undoubtedly there and it is up to us to rediscover that and give him the opportunity to rediscover that.”

As for Fortune, who is on loan from Nancy, Mowbray knows the ball is very much in the French-Guyana star’s court.

“Marc knows we would like to keep him regardless of what happens,” he added.

“He’s shown his quality and talent. Yet we’re not in the driving seat to make that decision.

“He’ll probably sit down at the end of the season and decide what he thinks. All we can do is give him a platform to enjoy his football and see where we are next season.

A very young Albion reserves side went down 1-0 at Portsmouth in the Premiership Reserve League (South) last night.

The oldest man on the pitch for Albion, who lost out to Paris Cowan-Hall’s goal, was 18-year-old Joss Labadie.