Key week ahead as West Brom ramp up preparations for new season

The majority of the Baggies squad, bar those who were away on international duty earlier this month, are due to report for pre-season testing on Wednesday.

New boss Ryan Mason, meanwhile, is expected to be at the training ground from the start of the week in order to get acclimatised to his new surroundings.

The 33-year-old, who was appointed the club’s new head coach earlier in the month, will meet with senior staff and begin putting in plans for the pre-season schedule.

Mason has already been in contact with most players but the first face-to-face meetings for many will take place later in the week.

Albion have so far confirmed three pre-season fixtures, including a high-profile clash with Rayo Vallecano on the eve of the campaign, with more matches due to be announced soon.

As in previous years, the Baggies are expected to spend a portion of pre-season at a training camp, with a venue set to be confirmed in due course.

Work in the transfer market is also poised to heat up with several of the club’s free agent targets reaching the end of their contracts. Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland, who is yet to decide on his future, is among them.

Mason, the Baggies’ youngest boss for more than a century, will formally be unveiled to the press next week.

Speaking after his appointment, the former Tottenham assistant expressed the belief The Hawthorns was the “perfect” place to begin his managerial career.

Mason said: “I can’t wait to get started.

“I will bring with me a huge amount of enthusiasm, dedication and ambition and look forward to a positive future together at such a fantastic club.”