Jonny Evans not taking his West Brom spot for granted

The 29-year-old returned from his hamstring injury over the international break, helping Northern Ireland to victories over San Marino and Czech Republic.

But the Baggies have picked up seven points from nine so far and have only conceded one goal in the league.

Apart from one mistake last time out, the new centre-back pairing of Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi has looked impressive.

And Evans, who is excited by the raft of new signings Pulis has made, isn’t taking his inclusion in the starting line-up on Saturday for granted.

“The San Marino game came at a good time, especially with the injury,” he said. “It wasn’t the most physical game so I just managed to get in there.

“It was a lot more difficult (against Czech Republic), I really felt it the last half an hour.

“It was good on a personal level to get the games under my belt, hopefully I’ll go back to West Brom and these games will stand me in good stead and I’ll be raring to go at the weekend.

“Whether or not I’ll play (remains to be seen). The lads have been fantastic, seven points out of nine, it may be difficult to get back in the team but we’ll see how it goes.”

Manchester City, Arsenal and Leicester were all interested in Evans over the summer, but the Northern Irishman remained at the Baggies because no team matched Albion’s £30million valuation.

It capped off a hugely successful summer in the transfer market which saw Pulis strengthen his squad from back to front with six new faces.

Forward Jay Rodriguez, centre-back Hegazi, veteran midfielder Gareth Barry, pacy winger Oliver Burke, experienced left-back Kieran Gibbs and central midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak all arrived during the window.

“I am looking forward to getting back and getting involved,” Evans said. “It has been a great start for us – seven points from nine – and we have been outstanding in both the home games I have been at.

“We finished tenth last year and the season sort of fizzled out.

“We were in a great position and it maybe ended a bit disappointing for us.

“But the players that the manager has brought in (encourage me).

“Obviously Burke, and Rodriguez has come in and I have been really impressed with him. His all-round game has been fantastic.

“The boy Krychowiak we played against in our first game at the Euros and he was outstanding. He was the best player on the pitch.

“It makes me very excited. We have got a lot of good midfielders at the club already.

“Gareth Barry has come in as well and looked fantastic.

“What the manager has done is add great competition to the squad and it means everyone will have to raise their game to get into the team.”