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Tony Pulis lauds West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace

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Tony Pulis has delivered a glowing endorsement of Jeremy Peace as the Albion chairman prepares for what could be a Hawthorns swansong on Monday.

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Pulis says Peace should be lauded for creating the modern-day Baggies – whether he sells the club or stays this summer.

Monday's Premier League clash with Chelsea could be Peace's last at the helm if he receives a suitable takeover offer in the next fortnight.

Pulis said: "He's a massive supporter of the club. I've only been here five or six months but he's done a fantastic job.

"The infrastructure of this club and the financial place it's in is pretty remarkable.

"He's done a wonderful job and I don't think anybody can criticise him.

"If you look at the stadium, which is fantastic, the training facilities, which are first class, he's put all of that in place. He's actually invested in the infrastructure and he deserves a hell of a lot of credit.

"He's run this club the way clubs should be run."

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Peace is awaiting news from several overseas suitors after appealing for buyers for his controlling stake in the Baggies.

Two groups, one from the Far East and one from America, are conducting 'due diligence' before deciding whether to bid, but Peace is determined to make a decision on whether to stay or go by the end of May to avoid compromising Albion's transfer business.

"The chairman has been very clear in what he has said," said Pulis.

"If there's a buyer out there and he thinks the buyer will help and push the football club on then he will listen.

"If there's not a buyer out there then he will get on with it and that's the way we're working at the moment. He's very open, honest and straightforward and we'll see what happens.

"If someone comes up and makes an offer that is acceptable to the club and shows he's prepared to invest and try to take the club on then I think the chairman will listen.

"If there are people out there who won't do that then the chairman will get on with it himself."

One sour note emerged late last night when it was reported Stephane Sessegnon could be sold because he took a £400 taxi ride back to the Midlands after being left out of the squad at Newcastle last weekend.

The £6m Benin international, who has not started a game since the April 4 defeat by QPR, was said to have stormed out after falling out with Pulis and made the 200-mile trip.

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"If there are people out there who won't do that then the chairman will get on with it himself.

"Everybody understands the pressure that's on now, especially from clubs in the Premier League, to spend more, to invest more and everybody wants to be in the Premier League.

"It's become such a financially driven league. I think the chairman is looking at it and thinking he might need some help or there might be somebody out there who's got that money to help West Brom push on again."