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One of Slaven Bilic's first tasks as he gets to work at West Brom will surely be to replace Dwight Gayle.

Albion have already made it abundantly clear that they won't be able to bring the striker back after his fantastic 24 goal season last term.

But with the news that Jay Rodriguez may well leave too, there is a reason to suggest that during the transfer window they need an entirely new frontline.

Bearing that in mind, here are three former academy players they may well now be wishing they never let go.

Kemar Roofe

With the possibility of having no Gayle or Rodriguez next season, Kemar Roofe would now be incredibly useful to West Brom. Arguably he is one of the biggest talents to have escaped their grasp in recent years.

The forward left the Baggies in 2015 for Oxford United when Albion were still in the Premier League. At that point, it wouldn't have felt like a loss but now a proven Championship performer, he would be ideal for a Baggies side chasing promotion next season.

He scored 14 goals last season for Leeds, building on an impressive couple of terms with the Whites after previously netting 17 and claiming ten assists in 40 League Two outings for Oxford United.

It's that kind of record that West Brom are crying out for next season, particularly from a player who can also play on the flanks, an area that needs to be improved.

Tyler Roberts

For similar reasons, West Brom will now surely be cursing their luck with Tyler Roberts. His record wasn't outstanding last season, scoring just three times, but his talent is evident in the fact he started 28 times for one of the Championship's outstanding sides.

Claiming six assists, the versatile forward is the type of player the Baggies missed last season.

He has the ability to play on the flanks, through the middle and as a number ten. With the likes of Jacob Murphy and Jefferson Montero failing to deliver last term, he could have been a real difference maker.

He's now proven himself capable in the Championship and could have been a real asset for Bilic if he stuck around. As it happens, he was another academy prospect to bite the dust.

The fans in the video below had some very strong words for Michel Platini who was detained over alleged corruption this week...

Izzy Brown

Hold onto Izzy Brown will have been incredibly difficult when Chelsea came calling but the fact remains that Albion would have been far better off by keeping him.

His performances since moving, however, have been extremely disappointing, scoring just nine senior goals.

But that shouldn't distract from the fact he still has plenty of talent.

After all, he's scored 11 and assisted ten in just 37 Premier League 2 outings. For a Baggies team who lacked creativity after Harvey Barnes left, Brown would now surely be crucial for them.

With West Brom needing to add bodies in the final third, they could now be left ruing the decisions they made in years gone by.