Dario Vidosic has revealed he was already looking at using Maisie Symonds at centre-back.

And the Albion boss was delighted with the way his midfielder reacted to her new role.

Symonds partnered Guro Bergsvand at the back in the 3-2 WSL win over West Ham at the Amex.

Maria Thorisdottir and Jorelyn Carabali were both ruled out.

Vidosic said: “It was a crash course, a day-and-a-half on how to play centre-back.

“She is also one who has had a bit of a tougher pre-season, getting herself right and ready.

“Then to be told (of the new role), she was ready and I thought she was really good.

“Hopefully we can keep a team a little bit longer on the pitch, we don’t have these injuries and we will learn a lot.”

Symonds has won England under-23 honours as a play-making midfielder but could be set for a new role now.

Vidosic said: “Jorelyn had a little bit of an issue which we didn’t want to risk.

“With Maisie, it was something I actually discussed with her maybe a week or two ago.

“Funny enough how it all works, not too long later we have had to use her there.

“But it was already something that I had sort of got pre-planned with her qualities.

“We know the qualities she possesses. Bravery to play, the pass and then she will learn the defensive side as well.

“It is different to playing as the No.6.

“You have got all the spaces in behind you to protect so finding the times when to stay, when to drop.

“This is something the more we practise, the more she is in that role, she will be good.

“But Guro helped her a lot. The back-line were really good.

“We got tested, especially late when its 3-2 and you don’t want to give up that space.

“Sometimes we probably dropped a little bit too early, we gave them an opportunity to turn and get another ball forward.

“But, again, it is stuff we will learn from.”