James Morrison’s Tom Fellows prediction on first return to West Brom

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Tom Fellows will make his first return to The Hawthorns since leaving West Brom for Southampton as the two sides meet in the Championship this week. 

Play-off chasing Southampton arrive off the back of a 10-game undefeated run in the lead with West Bom looking for their first win in 12. 

Tom Fellows, an Albion academy graduate and boyhood West Brom fan begrudgingly left at the start of the season in the £10million deal as the club battles with PSR constraints.

After breaking into the first team, Fellows became a regular starter for the Baggies, recording 96 appearances in under two years before his departure. 

Morrison expects West Brom fans to give the returning winger a warm welcome on Wednesday night and spoke about the 22-year-old, who he knows very well from coaching him at youth and senior level. 

“I think I’ve been in the same boat as Tom when I left Middlesbrough, so I know how he feels,” Morrison said in Tuesday’s press conference.

He added: “I almost guarantee that the fans will give him a good reception, which this club often does with former players. Tom’s a great example to the younger players, and I’m really happy for him to see him doing well, but obviously not on Wednesday.

“Knowing Tom very well as I do. He’ll try not to let the emotional side affect him. He might try that extra bit hard, but he’s got all those things to deal with.

“I think he’ll learn a lot from this first game back at The Hawthorns.”

Fellows is yet to record a goal for Southampton but has recorded five assists so far this term. He started in the FA Cup this weekend as Southampton knocked out Premier League outfit Fulham.

One of Fellows’ assists for his new club came against Albion in the return fixture at St Mary’s in December.