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West Brom's Brown Ideye hails Tony Pulis for kickstarting his career

Brown Ideye believes Tony Pulis has helped pull his West Brom career back from the brink.

The striker -- the Baggies' 10 million-pound record signing -- was on the verge of leaving the club on transfer deadline day. A 3.75 million-pound move to Qatari club Al-Gharafa was set up only for the Nigeria international to stay after Albion missed out on West Ham's Carlton Cole.

Ideye has now scored twice in his last two games, including Wednesday's 2-0 win over Swansea, to double his tally for the season.

He struggled for form and fitness under ex-Albion head coach Alan Irvine following a summer switch from Dynamo Kiev but admitted Pulis has revived him.

"I didn't really have that much [playing] time when Alan was here," he said, ahead of Saturday's FA Cup visit of West Ham. "This time is really different because I have more time and more of a role to play, holding the ball up is what I am good at.

"The way Tony wants me to play suits my game. Right now, I'm just in the right place. He likes strikers to work hard even if you don't score.

"I guess I've not started playing football [for West Brom] the way I know how to play it. I've played for several clubs and they can testify how I can play.

"Confidence comes with scoring and I'm at that point now that each goal lifts my confidence and scoring goals for me in every game is a good thing as a striker.

"Wednesday showed what I am capable of but by the grace of God I can do more."

Ideye also scored in the 2-2 draw at Burnley on Sunday as the Baggies hit back from 2-0 down.

"Two goals in two games is a dream come true for me. Every striker wants to score goals," he said. "The crowd were really supportive but right from the start they've been supporting the club and supporting me.

"I love them and I'll keep on doing my best for the club."

The Baggies host the Hammers in the fifth round at The Hawthorns having already lost 2-1 at home to Sam Allardyce's side in the Premier League this season. But Ideye urged the Baggies to build on their midweek win which took them four points clear of the drop zone.

"We have to look at it like a Premier League game. West Ham came here and you know what happened and they are a good side," said the 26-year-old. "This result will lift our morale and we just have to keep on playing like we did today."

Also on Friday, Press Association reported that West Brom are looking for new investment both at home and abroad after receiving a windfall in the wake of the Premier League's new mammoth TV deal. The 5 billion-pound contract represents a 70 percent rise for the 2016-2019 seasons.