Di Matteo was key to Thomas; Albion coach's ambitions helped to clinch move.

Byline: Chris Lepkowski

JEROME Thomas claims he had "no intention" of dropping down to the Championship - until he spoke to Roberto Di Matteo.

The 26-year-old, who left Portsmouth at the end of last season, made his Baggies debut in Tuesday's 3-2 win at Peterborough.

Thomas came off the bench and impressed Albion supporters with his pace and willingness to take on defenders.

And Thomas, who had trials at Hull City and Wolves before joining Albion, claims Di Matteo's ambitions for the club were key to his final decision.

And he feels his exile from the Premier League will be a short one.

"The mere fact that I signed shows the ambition I have and the club has because I had no intention of playing in the Championship, but I came and met the gaffer out of respect and I liked everything I heard," said Thomas, formerly of Charlton and Arsenal.

"I had worked hard to get out of it to get to Portsmouth before I got injured. I heard they were going to be playing football, which suits my game, and they are favourites for promotion and hopefully I'm here to help."

Thomas is being eased back into action following a recent hamstring problem.

He will be hoping to get a first start for the club in Saturday tea-time's game against Ipswich.

And he has been impressed with what he's seen of Albion so far. Thomas added: "I can't complain. It's been amazing. "I have missed a lot of preseason so it's been about getting my fitness levels back up and strengthening.

"But I'mfeeling sharp now and hopefully I look sharp to the gaffer so I can look to start some games. "Maybe I'mnot quite ready for 90minutes but I'mready to start, maybe a good 70 or 80 minutes. I feel ready but the team are doing well so I might not be able to get in. "They've been winning and that's what we need to keep doing so it's up to the gaffer now."

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Impressed: Jerome Thomas