Tony Pulis: McAuley and Olsson are 'foundations' of West Brom

West Brom boss Tony Pulis described defenders Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson as the 'foundations' of the club after the pair were handed new 12-month deals.

But the Baggies head coach did admit that the average age of the Albion squad needs to come down a bit.

McAuley turns 37 in December, but the Northern Irishman has been a rock at the heart of defence this season, making 33 appearances so far.

Olsson is 33-years-old and the big Swede has made 27 appearances this season, leading Pulis to heap praise on both defenders' character and fitness levels.

"Gareth and Jonas have been smashing again this year and they're the foundation that this club has been built on for the past six or seven years," said the Baggies boss.

"Their attitude in training and with the younger players has been absolutely first class. It's just reward for them."

Albion have the oldest squad in the Premier League and the average age of the this season's starting XI is nearing 30.

That's something Pulis wants to rectify this summer, and, hoping to strengthen all areas, he didn't rule out buying another centre-half.

Depending on how their fitness holds up, both defenders might have to get used to playing fewer games next season.

But Pulis did not want to throw away such valuable experience and reliable characters in the dressing room.

"We want to knock the age of the squad down a little bit," said Pulis. "You're almost contradicting yourself by signing these two, but we think they're really good pros, great examples to the younger players that will come into this club eventually.

"They're good examples for the academy lads as well.

"The fact they've been at the football club for such a long period as well, they've got West Brom through them.

"They know how the club works, they know the way it's run and they're good lads. That's important."

However, Pulis hopes the squad will be getting an injection of youth this summer.

"We had a big meeting yesterday with the scouting chaps in respect of looking for younger talent," said Pulis.

"We have got to balance that squad off a little bit better than what we have done this season.

"I think we've got the oldest squad in the league.

"With Jonas and Gareth now signing we've got a good backbone to go into next season, but we need to look for younger, more athletic, talented players."

Despite the misgivings over their ages, the Welshman wouldn't be surprised if both centre-backs proved their doubters wrong and kept going throughout next season.

McAuley is already Albion's oldest outfield Premier League player but he shows no signs of letting up.

"His fitness levels are fantastic, when you think he's played a load of games with Northern Ireland as well coupled with all the games he's played for us," said Pulis.

"He has to be managed properly and looked after but we're pleased with him.

"Jonas has had a bad injury but come back from that and been outstanding in some of the games he's played this year.

"He needs a good pre-season to get him back to the levels he was before, but at his age there's no reason he can't go on."

McAuley didn't become a professional footballer until the age of 24, and there's a suggestion that late bloom has helped him stay in the game longer, but modern technology and in-depth analysis into fitness and recovery have also played their part.

"The fact Gareth is 37 next birthday shows the level of fitness that people can obtain if they look after themselves," said Pulis.

"The knowledge out there with sports science now to maintain yourself in good shape is staggering.

"But you have to be a good person to keep that going. That's what Gareth is."