Ben Foster: This is the best West Brom squad for years

Impressed by how the summer signings have performed in training so far, the Baggies shot-stopper is excited by the new-found depth in numbers.

He called the transfer business a ‘success’, and reckons Tony Pulis now has the best group of players since Steve Clarke guided the team to their highest ever finish in the Premier League five seasons ago.

“There’s a lot more strength in depth than what we've been used to,” he said. “Before the game on Saturday we lined up in two XIs, just doing a bit of team shape for the game. Either of the two XIs could take to the field on a matchday.

"It's probably the first time it's been like that since Steve Clarke was manager, when we had Romelu (Lukaku) in the team, and we got off to that amazing start. I think we were fourth just before Christmas.

“That's the last time I can remember it being such a strong squad in terms of depth.”

Foster is pleased the squad’s shortcomings have been addressed over the summer, because he wasn’t convinced they could have another injury-free season again.

“We've been so reliant on the same players week in, week out,” he said. “Especially last season, look at the injury record we had. You can't have that all the time.

“We (the players) knew we needed more depth in the team.

"But it's been a really good window, especially when you look at the amount of money we've spent when you consider some of the cash getting splashed about nowadays. It's got to be considered a success.”

Albion brought in six new faces in the summer, including Paris Saint-Germain loanee Grzegorz Krychowiak, Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs, and veteran midfielder Gareth Barry.

The former Everton and Aston Villa midfielder will match Ryan Giggs’s all-time Premier League appearance record if he plays against West Ham this weekend.

“They've looked really good (in training),” said Foster. "Gareth knows what he's going to do with the ball before it's even got to him, he's got the pass in his head.

“He's one or two steps ahead of everyone else, he's fantastic.

“Kieran is a real proven Premier League quality signing. It's something we haven't been able to do recently, sign a proven Premier League player.

“He didn't even start last Saturday and that tells you the squad depth now.”

And Foster admitted the summer signings had given the existing players as much of a lift as it did to the supporters.

“It's nice that you've got somebody chomping at your position, you've got to be on top of your game,” he added.