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Baggies are confident of kick-starting recruitment

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Albion remain confident of kick-starting their summer recruitment by signing Liverpool striker Rickie Lambert in the coming days.

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Talks between the Baggies and the 33-year-old are understood to be progressing well with the club hopeful of making him the first of several new arrivals in a deal worth around £3million.

Lambert is also thought to be keen on a move away from Anfield, particularly with his first-team opportunities further restricted following the Reds capture of Christian Benteke from Villa.

The Kirkby-born striker was limited to a largely supporting role after making the £4million move from Southampton last summer, scoring just three times after being restricted to only seven starts in the Premier League.

Albion boss Tony Pulis is confident that, with increased playing time, the veteran can get back somewhere near the form which saw him net 17 times for the Saints in the previous campaign.

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Lambert turned down the chance to join Villa in a two-and-half-year deal on transfer deadline day back in January, stating at the time his concern at leaving Liverpool after just six months.

But after seeing his chances further limited over the second half of the season, he is now ready to depart his boyhood club.

Pulis is meanwhile conscious of the ever-increasing need to bolster his squad prior to the start of the season.

Negotiations with QPR over winger Matt Phillips have failed to progress as hoped and though the Baggies remain keen on acquiring Arsenal's Serge Gnabry in a loan deal, they are yet to make a firm approach.

Supporters can meanwhile watch Albion for just £10 when they play at League One Swindon Town this Saturday. Junior prices have been set at £5 for students and pensioners while under-17s get in for £1.