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Kieran Gibbs relishing new wing-back role for West Brom despite extra demands on his body

Kieran Gibbs doesn’t mind the extra demands of his new wing-back role – because he’s loving the license to get forward.

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Kieran Gibbs celebrates scoring. (AMA)

The 29-year-old has impressed on the left this season, scoring his first two goals for the club after being pushed further forward by Darren Moore.

The former Arsenal man has a history of injuries, but he’s coping with the pressures so far.

“It's tough," said Kieran. "I'm 29 now so I'm not going to change my game too drastically. But I've obviously been quite effective at wing-back so far this season. I'm relishing it.

"It can take you a while to get into the swing of it as it's quite demanding physically.

"I spoke with the manager before the season started and went through what was a realistic target.

"As long as I'm managed the right way off the pitch during recovery - the physios have been great with me so far - I'll keep in shape and keep in that zone."

Gibbs is acutely aware of the demands of the role and the congested schedule in the Championship just adds to the pressures on the body.

But rather than being wary of his understudy Conor Townsend, he’s given him pointers about playing wing-back for the good of the team.

"Conor's learning well,” said Gibbs. “He's a really enthusiastic kid and wants to learn a lot.

"He asks me every now and then about different situations in the game and stuff like that. I'm trying to help him as best I can just from what I'm learning as well.

"I'm trying to pass on as much information as I can for when he is needed. It's a long season and he could be needed at any point - a situation I've also been in before."

After a run of seven games unbeaten in the league, there are no signs that Moore will abandon his wing-back system anytime soon.

And Gibbs believes it works for the demands of the Championship because it gives the Baggies an extra man in attack.

"I think the way we play, the way we control quite a lot of our games, it can be useful because you can be the spare man,” he said.

"If we can bring the ball up the pitch and sustain possession quite high then it can be effective.

"We've got such a dangerous frontline that you need to get up and help support them, give them service.

“Now, especially with the front players, attacking has become a more critical part of the game in those positions.

"You need to contribute both ways. It takes a lot of concentration for 90 minutes but I'm enjoying it."