Ben Foster tips Gareth McAuley for club award

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster today named Gareth McAuley as his rightful successor as the Baggies' Player of the Year.

Foster claimed the award in 2012 after an impressive first season at the Hawthorns.

But the England shot-stopper reckons centre-back McAuley should land the prize this season – and plans to vote for the 33-year-old in the ballot.

Foster said: "It's a close one for me. It would be either Romelu Lukaku or Gareth McAuley.

"But I would give it to Gareth because, as somebody who plays right behind him as a goalkeeper, I know what I'm going to get from 'G-Mac' all the time.

"He's not a moaner or a shouter, he just gets on with it and it's great to have someone like that in front of you."

McAuley was a surprise signing for former Baggies boss Roy Hodgson in the summer of 2011 on a free transfer from Ipswich.

And, after a troubled start to his West Brom career because of illness, the ex-Lincoln and Leicester man has become one of the key figures of the club's rise up the Premier League.

"I hope he gets the contract he deserves. He has spent most of his career in the lower leagues so he knows what it's like to slog through 50 games a season," said Foster.

Meanwhile, James Morrison today claimed improving West Brom's home form has been key to Steve Clarke's Hawthorns success.

The midfielder believes the Baggies' stunning Hawthorns record has enabled Clarke to improve on Roy Hodgson's achievements with the club.

Eighth-placed West Brom have claimed nine home wins this season – the club's highest ever total in the Premier League and the best in the table outside the top two – with four home games remaining.

Morrison said: "It feels strange not looking over our shoulders. But it just shows what a good season we have had at the Hawthorns.

"We struggled here at home last season and at the start of the season we wanted to put that right. We have done that and a lot of hard work has gone into it."