Tony Pulis hopes Matt Phillips is available to start against Southampton

Phillips returned to action as a substitute in the defeat at Watford in midweek after missing five games with a hamstring problem.

West Brom won just two of their matches without the 26-year-old, who reportedly cost the club £5million when he signed from QPR last summer.

Pulis insists it was money well spent but he thinks there is more to come from the Scotland international.

"It was actually a little bit less than that, but he's been a very good signing for us," he said.

"I'm hoping that he will be available to start on Saturday, but he is one of the ones we have to have a look at and see if he's right

If he is and he's feeling good and everyone is happy with the injury, then he has a great chance of starting the game.

"He's important for us because he gives us that little bit more pace down the sides and the stats show that he's created lots of chances for us - and he also has a good return on his goals as well.

"But I still think there's still lots more to come from Matty

He's a good kid and good around the place

He's been fantastic for us.

"So he's been a big miss for us, but having said that the players who have played and the teams we have put out in the past few weeks have all had a go and done their best, and that is all you can ask of them."

West Brom have exceeded expectations this season

They go into the game against Southampton at The Hawthorns eighth in the Premier League - a place and seven points ahead of their opponents.

It looks like Albion will miss out on a place in the Europa League for next season, but Pulis wants his team to finish as high up the table as possible to help him attract a handful of players in the summer.

"Money is still the main reason why most players move but it (finishing high up the table) helps," said Pulis.

"We need at least five or six players to come in and improve the club

That's the aim and it's not just one position, it's all over the pitch

We have to keep pushing on and strengthening.

"We want people to come in and work as hard as the players who have been here are doing and give us a bit more quality."

Pulis pointed to Southampton's recruitment as the blueprint for most Premier League clubs to try to follow.

He added: "The important thing is not just getting good players in, but getting good characters and the right types of player in.

"Southampton are a fantastic model

They bring lots of players through and recruitment has been brilliant - the boy (Manolo) Gabbiadini looks a smashing signing

He knows where the goal is.

"Southampton are a really good example to everyone on how to run a football club

They are a top-10 team, they have some brilliant players and it will be a tough game for us."

Source : PA

Source: PA