Bobby Zamora has the potential to be better than Albion's goalscoring legend Peter Ward according to his former strike partner Ian Mellor.

'Spider' saw Zamora's stunning contribution to last Saturday's 2-2 fightback at Preston.

He was at Deepdale working as a local radio summariser and he was mightily impressed by the modern day contender for Ward's crown.

"He has come from the Third Division to the Second to the First and he is still looking the business," said Mellor, now a Manchester-based commercial executive for the PFA.

"Potentially I think he is a top class Premier League striker."

Zamora bagged 67 goals in his first 100 League games for Albion, 12 more than Ward.

Ward, however, was operating in the old Third and Second Divisions over that period, while half of Zamora's goals were scored in what used to be the Fourth Division.

"Peter was a different type of player," Mellor said. "He liked the ball into feet, where as Zamora wants it over the top into space.

"Peter had two good feet. I don't know whether he was right or left-footed to be honest and I played with him!

"Zamora is predominantly left-footed, but he potentially has more scope. He is taller, so he will score more headers, and he is faster over a longer distance.

"Wardy was good at turning people, but that is not so easy the higher you go. In our day in the Third and Second Divisions he was outstanding. At the very highest level he was not quite as effective, as his record shows.

"Zamora has a good five or six years still to reach his full potential and that could be in the Premier League."

Speaking of prolific goalscorers, Mellor's 20-year-old son Neil has notched 27 times in as many matches in Liverpool's reserves. "He's not quick, but he is an out and out goalscorer," said dad.

Albion boss Steve Coppell, another member of the Zamora fan club, is optimistic he can hang on to the England under-21 star when the window for Premiership transfers re-opens in January.

"From what I've seen I've just been impressed by every aspect of his game," said Coppell. "He's got pace, an eye for goal and he's a strong member of the squad personality wise.

"He knows where he wants to go and I have no doubt he is capable of playing at the highest level.

"Chances are we won't be promoted this year, so the Premiership might have to wait a year!

"He's very committed here. I think everyone has watched Bobby for the last two years and nobody as yet has made the club make a decision. Long may that continue as far as I am concerned."