Jack Hinchy was not on for long as substitute at Stoke City.

But it was enough for his under-21s coach to see he looked at home.

The midfielder will be a rather more central character tonight as Albion under-21s return to the Amex.

Hinchy, 21 this month, skippers the youngsters against Reading’s first team squad in the southern last eight of the Bristol Street Motors EFL Trophy.

Under-21s coach Shannon Ruth sees it as the team’s biggest match in a few years.

Such is the progress made by his squad, several players who fit the age category have already moved on to the first team squad or loan deals.

Hinchy, who was previously with Stockport County, was the latest as he went on late in the 4-2 third-round win at the Bet365 Stadium.

Ruth had a close eye on him and said: “He had been in and around Stockport’s first team.

“He has a really good football brain.

“Just the six or seven touches he had during the game, he was really reliable in possession and understood the patterns that were required.

“So, even though it was a short amount of time, we were really pleased with his actions.

“We’re hopeful for a loan for him at some point.

“In terms of helping the young players – because we are also quite a young group – he’s vital for daily standards and imposing his knowledge on them during the game. He will be important for us against Reading.”

Albion have a varied fixture list and have not played in almost three weeks since beating their Olympique Lyonnais counterparts in the Premier League International Cup.

Academy teams play all their Trophy group games away from home and the young Seagulls were then drawn on the road at MK Dons in the first knockout round.

This, then, is a rare chance to perform at the stadium and the tie is important both in its own right and as a part of their development.

Ruth said: “We have had a hectic games programme but a good one, a positive one.

“Some of the players have been in supporting the first team which has been really positive for them.

“And then we came back a couple of days after Christmas and have been able to have a good look at Reading.

“Lots of time on the grass, lots of meetings, just to try and give us the best chance to perform well: “The opportunity to play at the Amex is a really positive one for the players.

“What we try and ensure is that hopefully the first time they play at the Amex is not their first-team debut.

“If we can get them an opportunity to play at the stadium before then, it gives them a good experience and a familiarity with their surroundings and bits and pieces.

“And then to have a crowd there and an opportunity to get to a quarter-final, that is certainly the biggest occasion for the team this season and probably for the 21s for the past few years.

“We haven’t got to this stage for a long time so we are very aware of what this game means.”

Ruth does not subscribe to the theory that results do not matter in academy football. Quite the opposite.

But, equally, winning matches is only part of the challenge.

He said: “I always try as a 21s head coach to make sure we are ticking three areas.

“The first of course is the ability for academy graduates or under-21s to try and affect the first team matchday squad or support in a training capacity.

“The second would obviously be our games programme and ensure we are getting to the latter stages of competitions.

“It’s not necessarily the winning that is important but it’s the experiences that come with that.

“The further you get through competitions, the better experiences the players get, which means hopefully under pressure they can perform more.

“So we have to make sure we can get them in those situations.

“And then, lastly, ensuing the players can attract good loans and can move into Gordon Greer’s group in the loan pathway and get the best post possible opportunities from a loan perspective when that time is right.

“Looking at those three key areas over the first six months of the season, we are really pleased with our work so far.

“We feel we have been able to tick a few of those boxes.”

Ruth’s team tonight will be similar to that which won 4-0 at MK Dons in the previous round.

Reading’s first team squad, managed by former Southampton boss Ruben Selles, includes ex-Albion goalkeeper David Button.

Tickets for the tie remain on sale with matchday prices at £15 for adult and £10 for concessions. The West Lower will be open.