TONY Mowbray insists Albion will not necessarily have to pay large sums of money to find new players who can cut it in the Premier League.

The Baggies boss believes you only need to look at the likes of Robert Koren and the impact he has made at The Hawthorns since his Bosman move from Lillestrom 16 months ago to prove his point.

The Slovenia midfielder smashed ten goals in 46 appearances, including four as a substitute, to help Albion clinch the Championship title.

"You get to a level where you start looking at a player who is going to improve your team and all of a sudden you can't afford the transfer fee or the wages either," said Mowbray.

"Don't be surprised this summer if there are a few pretty low-cost signings where we buy the quality and the talent.

"We have seen examples like Robert Koren and Shelton Martis, who have contributed this season.

"There might be players in whom we recognise and like the talent but they cost practically nothing.

"Sometimes the assumption is that we are going to go out and spend millions on every player to improve us.

"I don't believe we have always got to do that.

"There is a media-driven impression that if you don't spend £40m you've got no chance.

"Time will tell whether that is right or wrong.

"Hopefully we will spend a few quid on some players but there will also be some players brought in that we gamble on a little bit."

Whoever the Albion chief adds to his squad he will have the added luxury of being able to name seven substitutes for every game, which has been newly introduced to the Premier League for next term.

And, having worked under the same system for two years as Hibernian manager, he insists it can only be an advantage.

"I think it's a big help," he added.

"I had two years in Scotland with seven subs and it helps the squad.

"It helps the unity of the squad because the manager can keep more people involved and it gives you better options to change a game when you need to.

"I think seven subs is a good change." 

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