The West Ham striker says Baggies duo Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans played a big part in his development.
West Ham United youngster Ashley Fletcher has told the club’s official website that West Brom duo Darren Fletcher and Jonny Evans had a big influence on his career.
The Hammers face the Baggies this weekend when they travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Fletcher will find regular faces in their opponents squad, having worked with both Fletcher and Evans during their time at Manchester United.
While they were both senior players and he a youngster working his way through the youth ranks, the culture at the club saw the pros taking the young stars under their wing regularly.
And Fletcher says both Baggies stars were always quick to give him advice about his own development.
“Jonny Evans and Darren Fletcher were big influences to me,” he told whufc.com.
They always spoke to me and gave me advice and are really good professional footballers. I’ll look forward to seeing them, hopefully, and we’ll move on from there.”
While Fletcher is keen to reunite with old friends there will likely be no love lost during the game.
Both have had poor starts to the season, with West Ham 17th in the table with just three points from their first four games.
Tony Pulis’ team have fared slightly better with four points from their first four fixtures but both are undoubtedly in desperate need of the points this weekend.
And that will likely see any old friendships put one side, at least for these 90 minutes.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
