Graham Potter wants to get a close look at how Aaron Connolly fares against his senior defenders.

And so far he likes what he sees.

Connolly struggled for game time on loan at Luton in the second half of last season.

He was initially troubled by injury and then had to try to break into a Hatters outfit who were battling it out for promotion and ultimately the League One title.

So far this summer, however, he has not joined the big contingent of Albion players going out on temporary deals.

Head coach Potter said: “Sometimes when you are analysing young players, the gap between the under-23s and the first team is so big that the only way you can really make an assessment is when they are training daily with your group.

“Then you can make a better and fairer comparison.

“That has been the thinking there.

“Of course, we could have quite easily sent Aaron out on loan.

“That is still an option if we think that is the right thing to do.

“That window closes at the end of August so we have got a bit of time to make the decision.

“At the same time, he has impressed us.

“We are thinking, ‘Could he be around the bench? Could he be around the squad?

“Could he be involved with us in the first part of the season? That is the thinking.”

Connolly scored twice as the under-23s opened their Premier League 2 season with a 2-0 win at home to Wolves on Monday.

He was not involved last night as Simon Rusk’s side went down 2-1 to Arsenal at Borehamwood.

Nathan Tormey put the young Gunners ahead on 58 minutes and Emile Smith-Rowe added a second four minutes later.

James Tilley, who had gone on as sub, shot narrowly over as Albion attempted a comeback.

Sub Ryan Longman got them back into the game on 90 minutes when he headed home a Max Sanders corner.

Albion: McGill; A.Davies, O’Hora (Freestone 46), Roberts, Cox; Cochrane, Dreyer, Sanders, J.Davies, Gwargis (Tilley 73); Radulovic (Longman 80).