IF HIS first five all-action displays in a Worcester City shirt are anything to go by, Shaun Donnellan has got a bright future in football.

The West Bromwich Albion loanee’s eye-catching ability to get from one box to the other and show composure in both areas of the field have led to rave reviews.

But while the 19-year-old, who idolises former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, seems destined for bigger and better things he recognises how important his “wake-up call” at Worcester has been for his development.

“With the way I was playing, I felt I deserved to play at a Football League club,” said Donnellan, who captains Baggies’ under 21s side.

“However I didn’t get that, so the next level was National League or National League North and as Darren (Moore) knew Matt (Gardiner) he said go to Worcester and play some real football.

“I thought it would be a walk in the park at first but after five minutes into my first match I knew I was in for a game.”

Alongside his West Brom teammate George Cleet, Donnellan helped City secure a battling goalless draw against Brackley Town on his debut.

Two more appearances at centre-back followed before his driving runs from deep and his stunning strike against Corby Town earned him a place in midfield.

“People keep asking me whether I am a centre-half or a midfielder and I am not really sure,” he said.

“West Brom see me as a ball-playing centre half, so I can drive out from the back, but I used to play in midfield.

“I used to score a few goals as well as I don’t like to just sit there.

“I want to be a box-to-box midfielder that makes late runs into the area and Carl (Heeley) and Matt have encouraged me to do that here at Worcester.”

With the number eight on his back against North Ferriby United, the Ireland under 19 international took the game by the scruff of the neck.

He demonstrated awareness, commitment and a knack of popping up in the right place at the right time as he scored twice in the first half to send City on their way to a 2-0 triumph.

But Donnellan admitted he had not been allowed to gloat about his brace since returning to the Premier League club.

“The first team are a really good bunch of lads (at West Brom) and they are always asking me how I am getting on,” he said.

“When I trained with them recently, they knew I had scored two goals and told me to get that smile off my face.

“But when I speak to the first-team coaches, they say they don’t want to me to play for the under 21s.

“They want me to stay at Worcester and play games because they feel it is a better level. It is proper men’s football.”

The talented teen, who is the son of former Fulham and Chelsea midfielder Leo Donnellan, says he is unsure whether he will follow young Baggies keeper Ethan Ross in remaining at City until the end of the season.

But, after signing an extension for the rest of this month, the Barnet-born player said he was determined to keep making his mark as he continues his dream of one day reaching the heights of Gerrard. Donnellan added: “A scout from West Brom comes to every one of my games, so if I can keep impressing them hopefully it gets back to the gaffer (Tony Pulis).

“I just want to get that opportunity (in the first team) and when it comes hopefully I will take it.

“My mum is a Liverpudlian and my family are Scousers, so I idolised Steven Gerrard growing up.

“He was my childhood hero, so if I had half the career he had I would be buzzing.”