Harvey happy to continue Baggies love affair
HARVEY Barnes is approaching that period of uncertainty once again as Albion head into 2019.
When the new year kicks in, parent club Leicester City can recall the 21-year-old attacker from his loan spell at The Hawthorns.
For that to happen, boss Claude Puel must first want him back at the King Power Stadium – and go some way to convincing him he will feature for the Foxes during the remainder of the season.
That was the impression Barnes got this time last year when, after scoring five goals and setting up four more for Barnsley, he was recalled on January 1.
What followed was rather disappointing as he featured in just eight minutes of Premier League action and started only two games, both in the FA Cup.
It’s why, understandably, he is focused on seeing out the season with the Baggies after already recording eight goals and six assists this season.
And if there’s no phone call for him to return to the club he has supported since he was a boy, he’ll happily continue wreaking havoc on the Championship.
“I’m loving every game at the minute,” he said after setting up both goals in Friday’s 2-1 win at Sheffield United. “We’re a very attacking side so for me that’s perfect.
“I’m playing a different role, as a striker but on the left, it’s all about staying up the pitch a bit more. Defensively, I’m learning that side of things and about hitting them on the counter.
“For me, either getting assists or scoring is great, whichever one helps the team out. But as a team we’re performing really well going forward and defensively.”
Moore is desperate to hang on to Barnes and said: “Harvey’s had a tremendous half of the season, we’re delighted to have him here with us. He’s very important to us because of his ability, the speed and threat he carries, his ball manipulation in tight areas, his ability to get up and beyond a backline.”