Anthony Knockaert knows his place in the pecking order.

Albion's talismanic French winger does not anticipate being a marked man in the Premier League.

He does, however, have enough confidence in his own ability to confound those lining up to dismiss him as a 'one season wonder'.

The queue will be long. The last time Knockaert went up, with Leicester, his opportunities were so limited that he left to for Standard Liege.

Now, after goals and assists galore and the accolade of Championship player of the season (below), the 25-year-old from Roubaix on the border with Belgium finds himself in illustrious company.

The Argus: "I don't think I will be a marked man," Knockaert said. "If you look at the Premier League, there are a lot of big players and I don't think any of them or the big clubs know me yet.

"I don't even know if they watch the Championship during the season.

"Everyone knows what players like Eden Hazard are capable of and he is still doing great things every season. That shows what a good player he is.

"If I have a good season this year, every player will have an eye on you, the managers as well. That's football. Maintaining the level shows you are a really good player.

"Obviously, it's different for me this season, another level and not a level I know particularly because I didn't get a real chance at Leicester.

"I think I will have the confidence from the manager and the club. I can't wait to get started and I believe in my quality, so why not able to keep this level?"

The extra pressure, perhaps? Knockaert, mixing his natural positivity with a dose of realism, shrugs aside the suggestion in much the same way as he outmaneuvered Championship defenders.

He said: "Obviously, people who were watching last year will be saying 'We will see what Knockaert can do in the Premier League', but there's not any pressure on my shoulders.

"I know what I am capable of and if the team plays well I will be the first to try to play well as well.

The Argus: "It will be really tough this season for myself and the team. It's the first time the club has been in the Premier League. A lot of players have never reached this level as well, so it's going to be a tough season, but we can cause a few surprises.

"If you look at Burnley last year, they were magnificent and had a good season. You don't know what the future brings, but I believe in the quality we have in the group. We have some really good new players as well.

"Everything is there for us. It's just about desire and how we perform on the pitch. It will obviously be tough against the top six sides and there are some games against the bottom sides where we will not be able to drop points.

"That's the only way we will be able to stay up. It's going to be a massive season. Everyone is so happy to be there now.

"It's not just to be there, but also trying to stay there. It's going to be a great challenge."

The challenge has been made that bit harder for Knockaert and Albion by the ankle ligament damage he sustained just ten minutes into their opening friendly against Fortuna Dusseldorf in Austria last month.

He is playing catch-up after returning to action as a substitute in the final friendly against Atletico Madrid at the Amex last Sunday.

The Argus: Albion's opening away opponents next Saturday just happen to be Leicester, where Knockaert (above left) was restricted to nine appearances in the top flight.

"I can't wait to get back to the King Power, because the fans are really good," he said.

"I had a really good time at Leicester. It will be the second game so that will be interesting. I hope we win, but I have a lot of respect still for them.

"For me it's a bit of revenge. I didn't have this chance and for me this year will be a massive season, a really good push for my career.

"I will give everything. I know the club will give me the confidence. When I was on holiday I couldn't wait to come back and be ready to start again.

"When you are really happy where you work, you are really excited to work again, even when you are on holiday."

Staying in the Premier League will be no holiday for Albion, but their chances will improve appreciably if their French dazzler fires again.