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Gabriel Tamas hailed as a leader by boss

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Roberto Di Matteo has hailed Gabriel Tamas as a leader as Albion celebrated the defender signing a new long-term contract.

Roberto Di Matteo has hailed Gabriel Tamas as a leader as Albion celebrated the defender signing a new long-term contract.

Di Matteo saluted the Romania international's role at the heart of the Baggies' defence and praised his response to colleague's Jonas Olsson's absence through injury.

Influential vice-captain Olsson has already been out for more than a month with Achilles tendon problems and is not expected back in action until January.

And Di Matteo said: "That has most definitely put more onus on Gabi.

"But we had it last season a couple of times and he definitely enjoyed leading, and I think he has done the same this year.

"I think he has had a very good impact since he joined us last January.

"He has 50-odd caps for Romania so he has that experience in him and he has played in Spain and France in the highest leagues, so I didn't have any doubt about his ability.

"He is a team player who has a very calm personality and he is a very calm person. He is a positive influence."

Tamas arrived in England with a chequered reputation following stories of off-the-field antics during a spell back on in Romania on loan with Dinamo Bucharest.

But Di Matteo has nothing but praise for the 27-year-old's attitude since he arrived at The Hawthorns.

"He came with a bit of a reputation but I haven't seen any of that," said the head coach.

"Since he joined us he has been brilliant."