Tony Pulis has been pleasantly surprised by his West Bromwich Albion players during pre-season so far.

The Baggies are currently in Austria as part of their preparations for the 2015/16 Premier League season and despite training being grueling in the early stages, the attitude of the squad has Pulis feeling confident.

"Their attitude has been absolutely first class," Pulis told the club's official website.

"They have been fantastic and have really bought into what we are trying to do even though it is extremely tough.

"I think that they have found out through other people that I work them hard in pre-season.

"It is pretty hot and humid out here in Austria and we are above sea level so there are different things to cope with, not just the early wake-up calls or the three sessions.

"They understand that this is an important time to get a base level of fitness.

"There is no better way to get fit than playing games and that's where match fitness comes from, but you have to have a base level of fitness to get into it."

He added: "This first week is part of the building blocks that you put in place."

The Albion squad has been waking at 5:30am before completing three sessions as a day as they look to return home to the West Midlands in peak physical shape for their pre-season friendlies.