Alan Irvine: Joleon Lescott talks going well at West Brom

New boss Alan Irvine today admitted he had feared Joleon Lescott would be out of Albion's reach as the Baggies closed in on a deal for the former Wolves defender.

Irvine believes the signing of Lescott would be a major boost for his standing at The Hawthorns after fans reacted angrily to his shock appointment.

Lescott was due back from holiday today with the Baggies confident of tying up a deal for the 31-year-old, who has been persuaded to move to The Hawthorns by Irvine – his former coach at Everton.

"I know Joleon really well and when we had our discussions about the job we talked about the kind of players I would be interested in," said Irvine.

"The question was asked about whether we would be able to meet Joleon's demands and I thought it might be one that would be too far for us to go.

"But I threw the name in anyway and we're in negotiations, which seem to be going really well. We hope we will be able to pull it off. He likes the idea of us working together again so that's terrific.

"Top players are always going to be in demand so clearly we want to get that done as quickly as possible."

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Hull and Stoke have both made offers to Lescott but Albion, which is close to his family in Birmingham, is his preferred destination, while the ex-England man, who is a free agent after leaving Manchester City, knows Baggies coaches Keith Downing and Rob Kelly from his time at Wolves. But it is Irvine's presence that has proved a trump card for the Baggies and the new boss hopes the prospective deal can help persuade sceptical fans that he can attract players.

Albion are looking for six more new faces before the season begins and Irvine said: "I've been given assurances that there is money there and clearly there is a desperate need to bring players in."