Jara sets sights on right-back berth

Albion's Mr Versatile Gonzalo Jara has set his sights on the team's right-back berth for the Premier League.

The World Cup-bound Chilean filled a host of positions for the Baggies in an impressive debut season.

But the 24-year-old has revealed that right-back is his preferred role.

Jara said: "At the beginning I started playing on the left and then in the middle. Before I got injured I was playing on the right, which is where I feel most comfortable.

"It is my favourite position but I feel very comfortable playing in all these positions."

Jara is relishing the chance to play in the top flight after settling well in the Midlands, following his £1.4million move from Colo Colo last summer.

He said: "Everything is going well off the pitch as well. My children are now in school. The weather is getting better and everything is very nice here in the club.

"All the staff have been helping me, not only with football things, but also personal things. For example I can speak Spanish a little with Roberto Di Matteo.

"The coaching staff generate a good atmosphere in the squad."

Now Jara is looking forward to representing Chile at the World Cup, after overcoming the broken metatarsal that ruled him out of Albion's Championship season from February.

He said: "I'm glad the injury is over. I am preparing myself for next season, the World Cup and everything is good. At the beginning the fear was whether there was going to be enough time to recover.

"It was also disappointing not to be able to help during the second half of the season. It was good to keep coming to the training ground and be around my team-mates.

"Now everything is good."

Jara is delighted that Romania international Gabriel Tamas is turning his loan from Auxerre into a permanent deal, after the duo formed a strong friendship.

He said: "Gabriel has helped me a lot on the field, but also with my team-mates in the dressing room.

"I really hope he'll be here next season. He was my room-mate on away trips and I really hope we'll be able to do that again next season."

Jara also thanked the Baggies fans for his reception during a walkabout on the pitch before kick-off at the penultimate home game of the season.

The player is also grateful to fans for bidding so generously in the online auction for shirts worn by the players in the 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in aid of the Chile Earthquake Appeal.

He said: "It was very, very good when the club did that with the shirts. It was a great show of support, and the fans buying the shirts meant a lot to - it helped a lot.

"When I was in the middle of the pitch waving to the fans it was very emotional for me."