Jeremy Peace, the West Bromwich Albion chairman, believes the club are better prepared for the Premier League than when they were last promoted to the top flight four years ago.

West Brom effectively clinched promotion by drawing 1-1 at home to Southampton courtesy of a late equalising goal from Chris Brunt. Only an extraordinary set of results on the last day of the season can deny them a return to the Premier League - Tony Mowbray's side would have to lose at QPR and Hull City would have to win at Ipswich Town, overturning a 12-goal deficit in the process.

"I grew up following Albion in the 1960s and 1970s when we had great footballing sides and I think to have that culture here at the moment is great," Peace said. "As Tony (Mowbray) has said before it does equip us a bit better for the Premier League.

"It will be a massive gulf to cross as it always is but we will be a bit better prepared than we were a few seasons ago.

"Getting back into the top flight has been a fantastic thing for us. It has been a really tough season and every game has been really competitive.

"It is a difficult division to get out of and we are just really pleased to be where we are now. Mathematically we obviously still need to do it but hopefully we are almost there now."