Craig Mackail-Smith wants Albion to add more experience to the squad as he heads back to his old club Peterborough tomorrow.

Six of the starting eleven for Wednesday night’s 1-1 friendly draw at Crawley were aged 23 or under.

Striker Mackail-Smith, 30, said: “If we get a few injuries we are struggling a little bit and we’ve got a very, very young team. Quite a few of them I don’t think have played much in the Championship.

“I think we need a few experienced players to come in but that’s obviously down to the gaffer and the chairman.

“They know the right people they want to bring in and hopefully that will be before the beginning of the season and we will be ready to go come the ninth (of August).”

Mackail-Smith goes back to Peterborough for tomorrow’s friendly at London Road (3pm) with three goals under his belt in four games after returning in April from 13 months out with Achilles and ankle problems.

He said: “I am getting through, that is the most important thing, pushing through every day. I haven’t done a pre-season for a year so my aim is to get through it and feel strong and fit ready for the beginning of the season.”