ROBERTO Di Matteo today tipped rookie right-back James Hurst for a bright future with Albion.

The 18-year-old was a rare shining light in the midweek defeat at Fulham on his Premier League debut.

The Sutton Coldfield-born defender, who turns 19 at the end of the month, also impressed on his senior debut, the League Cup quarter-final defeat at Ipswich.

Albion re-signed the England youth international on a free transfer from Portsmouth on deadline day in August and it looks an astute piece of business.

Hurst, who initially joined Albion as a nine-year-old, upset the club two years ago by declining to sign a first professional contract and moving to Fratton Park.

Head coach Di Matteo was impressed with Hurst’s performance at Craven Cottage where his tough tackling and confidence to push forwards caught the eye.

He could keep his place at Reading in the FA Cup today, although either Gonzalo Jara or Gianni Zuiverloon could be shifted back to the right to accommodate Paul Scharner’s return after illness.

“I think he coped very well with it,” said the Italian.

“Considering it was his first game and a difficult game, I think he did well.

“He did what we asked him to do.

“I put him in the League Cup against Ipswich and he did well there.”