Give Graham Dorrans a new West Brom deal, urges Pepe Mel

Dorrans has returned to favour in recent weeks after struggling for a place in the first-team squad earlier this season.

And Mel is ready to press the club to open negotiations with the 26-year-old over a new deal.

His current contract expires this summer but the Baggies have an option to extend it by another year.

Mel said: "If Albion were to ask me I would advise them to try to retain Graham Dorrans.

"He is a very good player and has an awful lot to give, so this would be my advice looking forward into the future."

Dorrans had made just six appearances for the Baggies by the start of February and his Hawthorns days looked to be numbered with several Championship clubs expressing an interest.

But the Scotland man been a regular starter since mid-March and capped his return to form with a superb goal in Monday's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.

"When I arrived here for the first game against Everton he was actually going to start the game but he fell ill and was ill for two weeks after that," said Mel.

"That's why it's been so difficult for him to get back in but I've spoken to him and it is clear that he understands what I want from him.

"He's a player who distributes the ball very well and is technically very strong and also has a good work-rate and has goals in him.

"There are players who, before I arrived here, weren't playing all that much and Graham Dorrans is one of those players.

"He's a player in whom I have an awful lot of trust and he brings together all of the qualities needed to be a really top player. His goal was excellent.

"Because we stole position of the ball and four or five players were involved in that phase of play it was a very good counter and a really great finish, and also because it was scored against a goalkeeper (Joe Hart) who this summer is going to be in Brazil."

Meanwhile, Albion will be backed by another bumper following in their penultimate away game of the season at Arsenal on May 4.

The Baggies took up their full allocation of 2,900 for the clash at the Emirates Stadium and have sold out of tickets in the wake of big followings in recent games at Norwich, Hull and Swansea.