The 21-year-old turned in a superb display in last night's 3-1 second round victory over top-flight West Brom to make life intensely difficult for central defenders Abdoulaye Meite and Leon Barnett.

Brown, who played most of his football last season wide on the right, has been given his chance as an out-and-out frontman this time around, and Australian internatonal Porter has no doubts he can do the job at League One level and far beyond.

He said: "James Brown is an excellent player. I think he could play at the highest level, there's no doubt about it.

"Somebody has obviously got to take a chance on him, but he is a fantastic player - left, right foot, can score with both feet, great in the air, works ever so hard and brings other people into play - there is not much more you want from a young player.

"If he can get a chance and start training and playing with the best in the country and play in the Premier League, you are going to bring even more out of him."

Cramlington-born Brown, who was signed from Northern League Chester-le-Street Town in September 2004, missed most of the 2005-06 season through injury.

But Porter is convinced his time playing out of position has made him both a better player, and one even hungrier to prove himself in his preferred role.

He said: "Obviously the gaffer had it right. I know a lot of people were humming and haaing whether James should have played out wide last year or up front, but obviously it has worked.

"He is hungry now and he looks like he is enjoying it up front, whereas after the injury, maybe he wasn't as hungry as he is now.

"I think the Gaffer has done the right thing and it is a bonus for James. He's relishing it."

For all Brown tested the Baggies' defence to the full, it was 29-year-old Porter who fired the home side ahead with 61 minutes gone and, after Robert Koren's 87th-minute equaliser had threatened to spoil the party, substitutes David Foley and Richie Barker who wrapped up the win in extra-time.

The Adelaide-born hitman might have returned to the southern hemisphere this summer, but is now revelling in a consistent run in the side after shaking off his own injury problems.

He said: "There were a lot of circumstances why I didn't go home. That's the way football is sometimes.

"Contracts are funny things and I was told I had to stay for another year, so I am here for another year.

"I did my pre-season and I have been given a chance to play by the Gaffer. I am here to give 100 per cent now and I am committed to the club got another year and we will just see what happens after that."

Porter has four senior caps for his country and has not given up hope of adding to his tally five years after joining Pool as his search for an English club came to an end.

Now he is relishing the chance of an extended cup run and looking forward to the prospect of another big club in the next round.

With compatriot Mark Viduka playing his football just up the road at Newcastle - the 32-year-old is currently working his way back from an Achilles injury - a clash with the Magpies would be a welcome reward for last night's heroics.

Porter said: "That would be fantastic. He would be someone I would love to play against, definitely."