Tony Pulis hopes to fill West Brom's left-back void this window

Tony Pulis is disappointed he still doesn’t have a recognised left-back in his squad and has confirmed he wants to buy one before the window shuts.

The Baggies boss has spent his two-and-a-half year stint at The Hawthorns asking others to play out of position.

Left-winger Chris Brunt and right-back Allan Nyom are the two current occupants of the role, although Pulis has also used centre-back Jonny Evans and wide-man James McClean there too.

The head coach has been looking for a left-back this summer but pulled out of a deal for Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor in order to focus on the spine, and then decided not to buy Kieran Gibbs after receiving bad character references.

“It's disappointing,” said Pulis, when asked about the lack of left-backs. “But we're trying to rectify that before the deadline.”

However, Pulis is prioritising other positions first. Taylor eventually moved to Burnley for £7million after the Clarets agreed a compensation fee with Leeds and Arsenal wanted more than £10m for Gibbs.

Although, in an ideal world, Pulis would like a recognised left-back he will spend his cash on other positions first.

Albion are signing Gareth Barry in central midfield to replace departed skipper Darren Fletcher.

And Pulis also wants to add a young centre-back to his squad as well as another forward player. If there is money left over once those additions are made, then he will revisit the left-back role.

“I just hope we can do the business that we're trying to do,” said Pulis. “We're looking to bring some good players in. It's a gradual process.”