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Nick Hammond: Big summer for West Brom

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New technical director Nick Hammond has admitted a big summer awaits Albion as they look to challenge higher up the Premier League next season.

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Hammond, who joined the Baggies last month after more than a decade as Reading's director of football, will play a key role in planning the club's summer recruitment alongside boss Tony Pulis.

Albion, who finished 14th this season, are looking to take advantage of their standing as the West Midlands' only remaining top-flight representatives and Hammond believes the coming months represent a great opportunity for the club to push forward.

The Baggies spent more than £30million last summer and the new Premier League TV deal makes another significant spend likely.

Hammond said: "There is great potential at this club. Year-on-year you want to make progressions and we should aspire to be better next year.

"Based on the new Premier League prize money, it is a great opportunity. It is a big summer, for sure."

Hammond believes Pulis, who is expected to sign a new contract in the coming weeks, is the right man to help Albion make the next step.

The 48-year-old met with the Baggies head coach before agreeing to move to the Hawthorns and was impressed by the passion which still burns within the Welshman.

He added: "For a guy who has been involved in football for so long, I came away from the meetings knowing one, he has an incredibly high work ethic and two, he remains remarkably ambitious.

"There was a real drive in him when I had the conversation.

"In any year success is trying to be better than the previous year, I think that is where Tony's starting point will be."

Hammond went on: "He has done a very good job here. He came in difficult circumstances and finished in a good position last year.

"This year he has brought players to the club and it has been a very solid season. I have seen him say publicly that he to wants to push on. He is a very ambitious guy.

"You have to progress, standing still is not an option. Everyone else will be doing their damnedest to move forward."