Albion sale talks delay new deals

The head coach says he needs to know the future of the Baggies before deciding whether to offer new deals to his out-of-contract players.

Chairman Jeremy Peace has held talks with several potential foreign buyers with two groups currently checking out the club's accounts.

And Pulis says players need to be patient about their futures while Peace awaits any firm bids from possible new owners.

"What we have to do is find out what's going on in respect of the sale of the club," said Pulis.

"We need to know which direction it is going in because there are lots of variations going on behind the scenes.

"I have spoken to the chairman, who has been very open and honest about things, but it's very difficult at times for players and it's difficult for me as a manager.

"It's difficult for supporters when these situations happen but everybody has got to stay nice and cool and calm."

Veteran defender Gareth McAuley is the only player out of contract without an option in the club's favour but Pulis has hinted he would like to keep the 35-year-old for another year.

"I like Gareth," he said. "I think he's a great lad and he's played every game since I've been here, so I also like him as a player as well as an individual."

Claudio Yacob, Chris Baird and Youssouf Mulumbu are among the players with one-year options in their contracts and Pulis says his whole squad are playing to impress in the remainder of the season.

"Every player, every minute they go out and play for the their team should be playing for their futures," Pulis said.

"It is do or die. We've talked about this situation before where people are comfortable and too comfortable to drive themselves forward.

"There's about five or six players out of contract and there are other players that will see that their futures are not here because they have not played many games but that's the law of the land.

"The group is a good group, they're a good bunch of lads. They've worked very hard, I haven't got a bad lad in the group.

"It's just that whether they are out of contract, or whether they're not out of contract, I have to look at it from a manager's point of view of what is necessary and what is needed.

"And I'll do that when the time is right."