Matt Phillips firing as West Brom go Dutch

Winger Matt Phillips feels in tip-top shape thanks in large part to West Brom boss Tony Pulis' 'notorious' pre-season.

The 25-year-old signed from Queens Park Rangers just in time to go away on Albion's fitness camp to Austria.

And now he's looking forward to this week's shorter tour to Holland, where the Baggies will be testing themselves against Vitesse Arnhem and Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.

He said: "There's nothing like getting a full pre-season behind you. The gaffer's pre-seasons are notorious now.

"It's good to get that in the legs and now it's about the short, sharper stuff and getting plenty of minutes and match practice."

Not only is Phillips a former sprinter who once ran 100m in less than 11 seconds, but he's also rippling with muscles.

The Scotland international takes his fitness seriously and so he was pleased to complete his £5million move in time to go to Austria, where the players took part in three sessions a day.

Despite the hard graft of the trip, Phillips has been impressed with the togetherness he's found in the Albion squad.

He said: "It's been great, the boys have welcomed me and I feel a part of it already.

"There's no real cliques. Everyone is among each other and I can't speak highly enough of the boys."

Being thrown in at the deep end with a week-long trip in Austria was the easiest way for Phillips to bond.

He explained: "When you're away out of the country it's just you and your team-mates.

"It's probably the easiest way to get among each other, learn and get to know each other. It was a good trip and now I look forward to Wednesday."

The Baggies fly out to Holland tomorrow to take part in the FOX Sports Cup in Arnhem.

Tony Pulis' side play Vitesse on Thursday before lining up against PSV on Saturday.

Portuguese giants Porto are also taking part in the tournament, but each side is playing just two games.

The winner will be the team with the most points from their two games, although an extra point will be given for every goal scored, in an effort to produce high-scoring, exciting matches.

Albion fans got their first glimpse of Phillips against Paris Saint-Germain last week, but he only played the first half at the Schladming Athletic Area.

The wide man completed his first 90 minutes in an Albion shirt in the 2-1 win at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

He was impressed by the National League North side, but is looking forward to testing himself against stronger opposition.

He said: "I'll go away with the boys again, get some more minutes against some good sides.

"I thought Kidderminster also played some good stuff (on Saturday) and it will be another test and a chance to get minutes."

Phillips is the only signing Albion have made so far this summer, but the club have made a £9m bid for Leicester's versatile left-sided player Jeffrey Schlupp.

The two teams are still locked in the early stages of negotiations, but the Baggies are in desperate need of a left-back.

Albion are also interested in highly-rated 22-year-old Leeds player Charlie Taylor, but their pursuit has been knocked back by Whites boss Garry Monk.

When asked if Taylor would be staying at the Championship club, Monk said: "For sure, 100 per cent. He has to be here.

"Charlie's been great, he's been fantastic in training and he's very focused on what we're doing.

"There's no worries about it from my side and it's business as usual. Charlie's a big, important part of what I'm doing."