Christian Walton believes the loan system Albion have in place is a great way to help young players break into the first team.
The keeper has played across all three tiers of the EFL on loan and reckons that experience helps him to challenge for a regular spot in Albion’s starting XI.
“Being out on loan was about reaching this point, where I am in and around the first team.
“The club have got everything in place for young lads to go out and prove themselves. It's a good set-up that [Loans Manager] David Weir looks after and it's not a case of just heading out on loan for the sake of it or to be forgotten about. It's about learning the game so you come back and push for the first team.
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“David watched a lot of my games and I would see him once every eight weeks for a coffee to talk through how I am getting on and I would speak to him on the phone every fortnight just to catch up. There was always that contact with the club which makes you feel looked after and not forgotten about.”
The Albion academy graduate has featured regularly on the bench in the Premier League recently, as well as making a first appearance in over 2000 days in the 2-1 win over Blackpool in the fourth round.
Despite not playing as regularly as he did during his loan spells he is confident his own game is continuing to improve.
“I really enjoy working with [goalkeeping coaches] Ben Roberts and Casper Ankergren, as well as the other goalkeepers. It's different for me this season compared to the last few years where I was playing every week, but it's been good to work on things I didn't necessarily have the chance to before.
“As much as you want to be playing, you have to support the person that's in goal because ultimately you want the team to do well. It's a good environment to be a part of.”
Walton will be aiming for back-to-back FA Cup appearances when Albion take on Leicester City this evening at the King Power Stadium.
“If the opportunity comes against Leicester City then I want to take it with both hands. It was good to play in the last round and be back in the squad and its been a positive few weeks performance and results wise, hopefully we can carry that into tonight's game.
“Leicester are going into this on the back of some good results as well and might rotate their team. But whoever plays, it will still be a high quality Premier League side. It's a big test for us, but we're looking forward to trying to get into the next round.”