West Brom loan out James Hurst to Shrewsbury Town

Hurst has played three games for West Brom and two for Blackpool

Shrewsbury have signed England Under-20 defender James Hurst on a six-week loan from West Bromwich Albion.

Hurst worked his way up through the England youth ranks and played in the Under-20 World Cup over the summer.

"First-team football at Shrewsbury is a good launchpad for me. Who knows where it can take me?" the 19-year-old told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"It's good Shrewsbury have faith in young players like me, and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Hurst came up the youth ranks at West Brom but signed his first professional contract with Portsmouth.

He failed to break into the Pompey first team, despite a successful spell on loan to IBV in Iceland.

"I wasn't really getting anywhere at Portsmouth, so Iceland was a bit of a gamble and it was a fantastic experience," he added.

Hurst then rejoined the Baggies on a two-year deal in September 2010, making his Albion debut in a League Cup quarter-final tie with Ipswich three months later.

At the start of this season, he was sent out on a season-long loan to Blackpool, but was recalled in October.

"He wasn't getting enough first-team football there, which he will do with us. That is why West Brom have agreed to loan him to us," said Shrewsbury boss Graham Turner.