Albion linked to Cardiff's Joe Ledley

Albion were today linked with a stunning late raid for Cardiff starlet Joe Ledley.

The Baggies are reportedly ready to snatch the midfielder from under the noses of Premier League rivals Stoke.

Ledley has attracted interest from Roma, Celtic and the Potters and looked set to link up with Tony Pulis at the Britannia after talks.

But Albion are said to be keen on the 23-year-old who could cost around £750,000 in compensation as he is under 24.

Roberto Di Matteo is also reportedly eyeing US striker DaMarcus Beasley after his release from Rangers.

Meanwhile, Albion will be urged to tackle the Premier League without fear when they begin their pre-season training on Monday.

The Baggies meet up for the first time since promotion clinched the club's fifith season in a League still regarded as the toughest in world football despite England's dismal World Cup showing.

The Baggies have been relegated three times and survived just one Premier League campaign - the momentous Great Escape - before now but head coach Roberto Di Matteo will be approaching the challenge with fresh ideas.

And wide man Jerome Thomas said: "We are definitely going to surprise a lot of teams.

"If you look at our squad we've got some exciting young players like Graham Dorrans, and James Morrison, Ishmael Miller and Giles Barnes are all back now.

"So I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams and in terms of our attacking play it will be a case of playing with no fear."