EDDIE Newton has brought the 'stress' factor to Albion training sessions to help bring the best out of the players on a matchday.

The assistant head coach's tactic is designed to flush out the personalities of Roberto Di Matteo's men by seeing how they react under pressure.

And he views it as a crucial tool in discovering the best way to help develop and improve players.

"For me, the most vital part is to learn the personalities of who I'm dealing with because it's me who has to get into their heads," said Newton.

"If I can't do that, it's not going to work,.

"As a coach, you are taking it in and seeing how players react.

"Coaching sessions are stressed environments.

"It's about over-stressing players so when it comes to game time they can deal with it.

"When they are stressed you see people at their worst.

"I like it because when I get a reaction I know I'm doing my job.

"But I also find out their personalities and can react to that, whether it means putting my arm around them or giving them a kick up the backside and getting nasty with them.

"You have to monitor their personalities."

Newton added: "We have a very young squad.

"The average age is a bit over 23 and people have to realise that, even though we've come down from the Premier League.

"There's a lot these players need to learn.

"We are trying to develop the mental capacity of these boys and there's still a long way to go.

"It's hard because the games are coming thick and fast."

The former Chelsea Academy coach admitted the international break gave the coaching staff much-needed time to work with the players not on duty with their country.

"The intensity goes up because there is a smaller group but since we have come in we have always said 'if you want something, ask, and we will do it'," he said.

"We will talk to players and pull them to one side and if they want any more on top we will give them more.

"But our training sessions are linked to a position anyway.

"We might be doing crossing so the full-backs and wingers will work solely on crossing and the forwards would be looking at how to run into the box and score goals.

"It is part of the session but you're looking specifically at one aspect of the game.

"Most of our sessions will have a tactical theme behind them but we try to cover everything - technical, tactical and physical.

"Sometimes, that's impossible so we will pull people away for ten or 15 minutes and work with the back four, the midfield area or the strikers."

The downside of the international window means several key players will only have had one Albion training session ahead of today's clash with Reading (ko 3pm) after tough midweek games and long flights.

And Newton admits that will have some bearing on who makes the starting XI against the Royals.

"It can be a tricky situation but I'm not complaining," he added.

"It just means we've got a very good squad of players who have international recognition.

"It all depends if you want to be part of something like that.

"There is a fine balancing act when they come back.

"It's about talking to the players and seeing whether they are capable of raising themselves again at the weekend.

"That's the balance that we, as coaches, have to monitor."

Roman Bednar is 25/1 to score first in a 2-1 Albion win against Reading with bet365. If you fancy a flutter click here.