West Brom have agreed to loan young central midfielder Matt Richards to Stourbridge on a short-term deal.

Southern League Premier Division Central side Stourbridge confirmed the news on their official Twitter page on Wednesday [20 December].

Richards will link up with Albion’s fellow Midlands outfit until 16 January once the deal has been ratified by the EFL.

Chance to shine

Richards has featured regularly for West Brom’s Premier League 2 side and is clearly highly thought of at The Hawthorns.

Indeed, the youngster was named Academy Player of the Season in 2021-22, but he has yet to make the grade at senior level.

This move to Stourbridge presents a natural stepping stone to more regular senior football, even if it is just for the next month or so.

Should everything go to plan, it may well be that West Brom agree to let Richards remain at the War Memorial Ground for the rest of the season.

Now 19, Richards is an age that he should be ready to challenge for a first-team place in the not-too-distant future if he is good enough.

Hopefully, this move down the divisions will present him with an opportunity to show that he is ready to do just that under Carlos Corberan.