Tony Pulis: West Brom must be patient on top targets

Jay Rodriguez and Ahmed Hegazi are the Baggies only signings of the summer to this point and Pulis has made no secret of his desire to further strengthen a threadbare squad.

But he also accepts he may have to wait in order to land players who can improve on what he already has.

Albion claimed pre-season wins at Burton and Walsall last night but their lack of resources was highlighted by the fact only four substitutes were named at the Pirelli Stadium.

Pulis claims the club have made enquiries for several players, including Middlesbrough centre-back Ben Gibson.

Talks over two other targets, first mentioned by the head coach during Albion’s trip to Hong Kong for the Premier League Asia Trophy, meanwhile remain ongoing though Pulis was unable to provide any indication on when the Baggies might make a breakthrough.

“We have our targets and we are hoping to bring a few in. The two I mentioned (in Hong Kong) are still moving on,” he said.

“You only need to look at the squad. We had everyone at Burton except a couple of kids and there were only three senior players at Walsall. We need to bring a few in.

“Every manager wants them as quick as they possibly can but we know we can’t do that. We have to be patient. I am used to having to do that.

“You would love to have them in now and working on the shape of the team but we are not able to do that. If it is the last week it is the last week. We need to make sure they are the right players and that is the most important.

“Gibson is not the only target. We have enquired about a few. A few of those are moving forward. We will have to wait and see.”

Albion were last week thought to be closing in on a move for Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs but were unable to agree on a price.

Pulis said: “There was a price and after that price there was no deal to be done.”