Chris Brunt hoping for Gareth McAuley stay

Chris Brunt has urged West Bromwich Albion to tie his teammate Gareth McAuley down to a new contract.

As it stands, centre-back McAuley's current deal is due to expire at the conclusion of next season.

However, Brunt believes that his fellow Northern Irishman has done more than enough on the pitch to warrant extended terms from their employer.

"I can't speak highly enough of him as a lad, or of his performances on the pitch. He's a good friend of mine as well so I would love him to stay, and hopefully the club will sort it out," the Express & Star quotes Brunt as saying.

"He's been massive for us. From day one, since he stepped into the team, he has been our most consistent player. That's coming from someone who had never played in the Premier League until he was 31. I had known him for a long time and I knew he was a good defender.

"When it came to the Premier League it was as unknown for me as it was for everybody else, and probably to him as well. He has stepped up and been fantastic for us."

McAuley, 33, joined the Baggies from Ipswich Town in 2011.