Fitness race for Scharner

Scharner: Fitness battle

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West Brom's new signing Paul Scharner is hopeful of being fit to face Tottenham in the Premier League next Saturday.

The Austria international joined the newly promoted Baggies after leaving Wigan at the end of last season.

Scharner has had to train on his own to maintain his fitness levels over the summer, but he is still behind the required level of sharpness to start a match.

The 30-year-old was unveiled at the club's training ground with fellow new signing Marc-Antoine Fortune on Friday and Scharner says he aims to use next week to prove his fitness.

The midfielder told the Birmingham Mail: "I am feeling very fit.

"I trained a lot in Germany, Austria and Birmingham.

"I think it should take a week to be properly match-fit but I'm confident I'll be ready soon. If selected for the next game, I will be ready."

Promise

Scharner also revealed that he joined Roberto Di Matteo's outfit because of the promise of a midfield berth.

"Why West Brom? Well, first of all they gave me a chance to play midfield and I want to show it's my best position.

"But the club and the manager gave me the feeling they want me to help them stay in the Premier League.

"From my point of view, I have a lot of experience staying in this league. In my second year at Wigan we stayed up on the last day against Sheffield United. Hopefully I can impress.

"The second half of the season is the most important because then you can see how fit and competitive you really are."