Steve Bruce discusses his West Brom future & transfer plans

Steve Bruce is planning on remaining at West Bromwich Albion heading into next season and is eager to oversee the change he feels is necessary if they are to finish in mid-table.

Albion head to Birmingham City on Sunday knowing that anything other than a win will fail to keep their already faint hopes of qualifying for a Championship play-off place alive, but irrespective of the division Albion find themselves in next term Bruce is keen to stay.

He signed an 18-month contract upon replacing Valerien Ismael as Albion boss in February, as predecessor Sam Allardyce did a year earlier, but unlike Allardyce who walked away after relegation Bruce is intent on a rebuild.

“I’ve really really enjoyed it,” Bruce enthused. “There is a bit of work to be done, but I’ve really enjoyed the seven or eight weeks as far as I’m concerned. I’d love to stay. If we finish mid table like we are now, then that’s not good enough for this club. We have to address it, have a look and say how we improve it, and what we do. I’m still assessing it.

“I haven’t seen three of our players, two of them are maybe among our better players in Phillips and Dike. I’ll take a full look at it and see what we’ve got to do. My sole focus at the minute is now, for the next couple of weeks. That’ll define itself.

“There is always time for change. It’s pretty normal when a team has been together. There are a lot of players who have done well for the club, been here for maybe four or five years, and those questions will have to be answered.”

Albion have their work cut out to breath fresh life into this squad. Many are already contracted to the club until 2023 at least, if not longer, with only Sam Johnstone, David Button, Andy Carroll and Romaine Sawyers the only