Albion defender Neil Clement is disappointed at the collapse of the Madjid Bougherra transfer – even though the Algerian would be been a threat to his place.

Clement had hoped Bougherra would not sign for Rangers, to add extra competition for places in the Albion defence.

The Baggies’ longest serving player still wants to see new faces at the Hawthorns to help keep him on his toes.

He said: “It’s good for us to have competition. I would have liked to see him come in as well. I have said all along that all the top teams have competition for places.

“We had it last year with myself and Bostjan. It was good and healthy. It made him play well and it made me have to play well to get into the team.

“I’m sure there will be new players coming in again and it will be good for the club. It lifts my game.”

Clement is relishing the start of the Premier League season on August 16, after taking a full part in pre-season so far with no reaction to his knee injury.

He said: “I have had no problems so far so I am really pleased with that. I haven’t had to miss a day’s training in pre-season, which I am delighted with.”

Clement and the rest of his senior colleagues will sit out tonight’s friendly at Walsall (7.45) but Tony Mowbray has included some more experienced ‘reserves’ in his side.