Megson out to strengthen squad

West Brom manager Gary Megson has spelt out his concern over the need to rapidly strengthen the squad with the start of the new Premiership season less than a month away.

Megson had hoped to have the majority of his targets signed, sealed and delivered by this juncture of the build-up but has so far only added Ronnie Wallwork and Joe Murphy to the squad which gained automatic promotion.

As a result he is to hold talks about the situation with new chairman Jeremy Peace, recently appointed managing director Brendon Batson and chief scout Bobby Hope at tonight’s friendly with Exeter City at St James Park.

Megson said: ‘‘As soon as the season is over, you immediately start thinking about how you are going to improve things and we knew the squad as it stood then (in April) was too small and wouldn’t survive in the Premiership.

‘‘One thing I felt it was vital that we did this year was to make sure the people we wanted were here for pre-season and not coming in October.

‘‘We know the types of players we want but the beginning of the season is looming and we’ve made six or seven enquiries which have not yet proved fruitful.

‘‘The chairman, Brendon Batson and Bobby Hope are coming to the Exeter match and we will be discussing squad strengthening because we’ve got some important decisions to make. It is an opportunity for us to have a brain-storming session.’’