Albion defender Billy Jones today revealed his New Year’s resolution – to become a Premier League regular.

The summer signing from Preston North End has set his sights on keeping Steven Reid on the sidelines when the Baggies’ regular right-back completes his recovery from knee surgery.

But the 24-year-old, who will begin 2012 as a starter against Everton on Sunday, knows he must maintain the form that earned him man-of-the-match honours against Manchester City on Boxing Day.

“My aim is to stay in the team but we’ve got a strong squad,” said Jones.

“Reidy is injured at the moment, Gonzalo (Jara Reyes) has come back from loan and there is competition for places, which is always healthy within a club. It makes players play better and improves performances.

“I just hope I can play like I did on Boxing Day and maybe improve again on my performance and get some good team results.

“Being on the sidelines is frustrating but, if players are well, there is no need to make changes.

“Reidy was playing well, as were the team. I always knew I’d have to be patient and wait for my chance and unfortunately it’s come because Reidy has got a knock.

“I hear he’s going to be OK, so that’s good but it’s a chance now and I hope I can take it by playing well and getting some good results as a team.”

The impressive goalless draw with leaders City gave the Baggies ninth place in the Premier League after their final fixture of 2011.

And Jones is keen to see them match or better last season’s 11th-place finish in 2012.

“As a team we just want to get to the 40-point mark as soon as we can and then see how we can do,” he said. “Last season, the team got to the 40-point mark and then finished 11th.

“That’s what we want to do this season.

“The gaffer has talked about how the squad is stronger and everyone gets on well and everyone is willing to work hard for each other.

“I think that was proved on Boxing Day, with all the graft the lads put in.

“If we can work like that as a team every week, individual brilliance up front and creativity in midfield will lead to us winning more games than we lose.

“It comes from being organised and we were very organised on Boxing Day.”