Carlos Puyol is role model for Pablo Ibanez

Albion new-boy Pablo Ibanez today revealed World Cup star Carlos Puyol as his defensive role model.

The Baggies' latest signing played alongside Puyol in many of his 24 caps for Spain.

And Pablo believes he has learned a lot from the Barcelona man, who is again set to be the lynchpin of his country's defence at the forthcoming World Cup.

"He's a great defender who possesses great concentration levels during games," said 28-year-old Pablo.

"He's a real help to young players who play with him.

"I wouldn't like to talk about myself in terms of being similar to other defenders I've played with, but I really like players like Carles Puyol and Luis Perea (Atletico Madrid and Columbia), who I've had the honour to play with for Spain and Atletico Madrid respectively.

"Looking at the Premier League, I really admire John Terry and Kolo Toure.

"Obviously I learned a lot from Puyol, but not only from him, from other colleagues as well."

Pablo is back in Spain after sealing his free transfer move from Atletico Madrid on a three-year contract. But he will return to England for the start of pre-season training after ending his seven-year stint in the Spanish top flight.

Pablo became Albion's third permanent signing of the summer after Steven Reid and Gabriel Tamas turned their loan moves into permanent transfers.

The trio could form part of a reshaped Baggies defence, although Roberto Di Matteo is still looking for further reinforcements.

Meanwhile, Albion defender Marek Cech has been handed hope of a World Cup starting place after he was picked for Slovakia's final warm-up match.

The left-back played the first half of his country's 3-0 home win against Costa Rica. Cech had been sweating on a place in the squad but a solid end to the Championship season clinched his call-up.