ALBION goalkeeping coach Neil Cutler is aiming to assemble a three-man group to drive each other to excellence in the challenge ahead.
Cutler has now added Jonathon Bond to his department with the 25-year-old joining as a free agent from Reading today.
He joins Sam Johnstone, who signed for an undisclosed fee from Manchester United at the start of the month, the pair training together for the first time during the Club’s training camp in Scotland last week.
Both can now be expected to figure at Aberdeen on Friday night when Albion play their next pre-season friendly and form two-thirds of a group Cutler is intent on combining.
“I want a group of three competitive keepers who are driven, athletic, eager, quick and able to push each other in every session of every day,” said Cutler.
“I have tracked Jonathon’s career through from his involvement in the England set-up and he’s one who has got real potential.
“We need to work on that fine detail now, He’s dropped off the radar a bit but he wants to learn and work and push on.
“He’s got experience of the Championship and knows the top two divisions and fits what we want in terms of work ethic.”
Neil is hoping to add a third figure to his group in the near future and at the same time give Albion’s 21-year-old prospect Alex Palmer the chance to get out on loan and begin acquiring Football League experience.
“He needs that run of games now in the League to help his development,” says Neil.