Pulis to put on five-star show

WEST BROM boss Tony Pulis is confident he can celebrate his new deal with five new signings.

Pulis, right, is set to remain at the Hawthorns until 2019 after extending his stay by a year.

Now Pulis is chasing Middlesbrough defender Ben Gibson, Everton midfielder Gareth Barry, Crystal Palace defender Joel Ward and possibly Barcelona man Thomas Vermaelen.

Albion’s only signings so far have been Egypt

WEST BROM BOURNEMOUTH

centre-back Ahmed Hegazy on loan and Jay Rodriguez from Southampton.

Other deals have become dragged out, but the Welshman is not fretting.

“I’ve got full confidence we can bring in the players we need,” said Pulis. “John Williams, the chairman, is working tirelessly to get those deals over the line.”

Today’s opponents Bournemouth have signed veteran striker Jermain Defoe as well as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and defender Nathan Ake, as the south-coast club step up their ambitions to become established among the Premier League elite. “Sometimes it doesn’t work to plan, but this summer we have been fortunate to get the guys in early and work with them from the start of pre-season,” said Cherries boss Eddie Howe. “We are a smaller, tighter squad than we were at this stage last season but I believe the quality is higher – and that could be a key difference.”