Jeremy Peace moves to restore old recruitment policy

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace is looking for a new technical director, adding fuel to the suggestion that Tony Pulis is leaving this summer.

The new appointment will head up recruitment at the club, offering more structure to the current scouting process.

Peace is hoping it will help the Baggies invest more wisely in the summer and wants to fill the role by the end of the season.

It wrestles some of the power over recruitment away from Pulis, who will be forced to work alongside the new appointment, although the Welshman is helping Peace with the selection process.

Technical director was a position previously held by Dan Ashworth, before he left for the FA in 2013.

Richard Garlick, the club's director of football administration, had an unsuccessful stint in the role before Terry Burton was appointed.

Last June, both Burton and head of recruitment Mervyn Day were axed – and neither were replaced.

At the time it was seen as Pulis tightening his grip on recruitment and transfer policy.

Although Jonny Evans has been a huge success, fellow summer signings James Chester and Rickie Lambert have failed to impress for the majority of this season.

Meanwhile, Chris Brunt has issued a big thank you to Albion fans for their support over the past week but urged them to focus their energy on cheering on the team against Crystal Palace tomorrow.

The 31-year-old left-back was surprised and humbled by the reaction shown by the Baggies faithful to him getting hit in the face with a coin at Reading last weekend.

Supporters have organised a charity bucket collection and paid for a new banner as well.

"The support I've had from the fans and around football has been great," said Brunt. "The best thing everybody could do would be get behind the team and support us the way they can do on Saturday night."

Fans have already raised £1,400 with Brunt revealing he wants the money to go to the Albion Foundation and Acorns Children's Hospice.