Fortune has scored three times in his four games since joining West Brom

West Brom boss Tony Mowbray believes the best is yet to come from his on-loan striker Marc-Antoine Fortune.

The French Guyana-born forward, 27, on loan from Nancy, scored two fine goals during Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to Newcastle, one with each foot.

"He's a good player - I see it every day in training," Mowbray told BBC WM.

"He played like a centre forward, an English centre forward, and got his reward with two good goals. Let's hope that can continue."

Fortune played the first half as a solitary striker before being joined by Roman Bednar after the interval, and Mowbray feels he excelled in that role.

Leon's playing at a level where he's got to sink or swim really Tony Mowbray on Leon Barnett

"Because of Jay Simpson not being around we asked him to lead the line and show he can handle the physicality of the Premier League," he noted.

"I think he did that extremely well."

Mowbray was also critical of his own decision to pair Leon Barnett and Abdoulaye Meite at the heart of the West Brom defence, particularly as both players are working their way back from injury.

They were involved in a series of defensive howlers, contributing to all three goals Newcastle scored.

"Leon's playing at a level where he's got to sink or swim really," Mowbray said.

"Generally this year he's done OK, and that's why he was brought back into the team to try and deal with the physical aspects of [Shola] Ameobi for Newcastle.

"He found it difficult, he hasn't done much training, and maybe it was a bridge too far - maybe I should take some of the blame for playing a player who hasn't had much football over the last month or so."

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