'They need to be ready' - James Morrison on West Brom standards

New boss James Morrison has warned for his Albion players to “be ready” for his management.

Club legend Morrison, 40, kickstarts his tenure as permanent head coach later this month as players return for pre-season training.

The Scot is no stranger to the hotseat having held the Baggies caretaker role on three occasions - and had to deal with the pressure-cooker of a relegation battle from February.

Morrison tried to stay true to himself and change as little as possible during his two-month stint in interim charge, though the former first-team coach admitted the dynamics will change.

"Asking me what I want them to call me!" Morrison smiled when reflecting on his squad’s reaction to landing the permanent role.

“We'll get a feel for it, because it's fresh.

“Now the dynamics have changed. I'm not the interim now, I am the head coach - they need to be ready for that.”

Morrison is an understated character who shuns the limelight with a forensic knowledge of the club’s inner-workings.

A two-time Baggies promotion winner with nine Premier League campaigns at The Hawthorns under his belt, Morrison is known for demanding and driving standards through his work.

"I'll try not to change too much,” he added. “I know this job can be challenging but I'll try to be myself.

"I have high standards. I know what's right for this club and what is wrong for this football club.

"It's trying to promote good people and trying to improve the players. Good people and improving players.”

It remains to be seen how Morrison’s backroom staff will be complete with decisions still to be confirmed.

Albion are determined to keep hold of influential coach Matt Gill, who played a key role behind the scenes.

But Gill is long-term assistant to the out-of-work Russell Martin, who continues to be linked with a number of roles this summer, including Blackburn, Watford and League One new boys Leicester among others.