Albion defender Gianni Zuiverloon has revealed how Abdoulaye Meite’s World Cup dream has inspired the centre-back’s return to form.

Zuiverloon revealed Meite admitted to team mates that his hopes of playing for Ivory Coast in South Africa hinged on him forcing his way back into the Baggies team.

The central defender looked to be heading out of the Hawthorns this summer but returned from the cold at Preston last month and Albion have not conceded a goal in three matches with the former Bolton man in the starting line-up.

Zuiverloon said: “I said after Preston that Abou can be a very important player for us. He’s strong and quick and has experience. He has great abilities.

“The African Nations Cup and the World Cup is important to him. He wants to play in the World Cup so he knows he needs to play, and play well.

“At the beginning of the season he wasn’t playing and he said that he would only be able to go to the World Cup if he was playing. He has waited for his chance and trained hard.

“It’s up to the gaffer who plays but Abou is taking that chance.”

Zuiverloon has played his part as the Baggies have conceded just two goals in their last five matches with clear signs of defensive improvements.

After helping them return to winning ways at home to Watford on Saturday, Zuiverloon is urging the Baggies to break away from the chasing pack at the top of the Championship.

He said: “We want to go up this season and we have to make a big gap as soon as possible.

“To do that we need to win the next few games to open up a gap, putting some distance between us and the rest. We want to get up and it would help us to pull away from other teams.”