Somewhere, deep within the bowels of West Bromwich Albion’s training ground, discussions are taking place.

Jonas Olsson and his agent sat on one side of a table, Albion’s policy-implementers on the opposite end.

The picture painted is merely to supplement this piece – but it’s not far from the truth.

Talks have been ongoing for a while.

It’s looking more positive now than perhaps at any other time.

It’s not a done deal by any means but the very fact Olsson, out of contract next summer, is still wearing blue and white stripes isn’t a bad start.

Ben Foster hopes the Albion centre-half can stay.

The Baggies goalkeeper has a vested interest.

While his own performances in goal have been dominant throughout his 14-month spell at The Hawthorns, much of Albion’s defensive dominance has come from the back four in front of him.

Olsson and Gareth McAuley have particularly caught his eye.

Foster hopes Olsson will sign on the dotted line in the near future.

He hopes all parties will sit themselves down in the boardroom and lock the door. He has urged Jeremy Peace to hide the key until Olsson has signed his name.

Seriously.

“Of course I want Jonas to say, absolutely,” said Foster.

“He is such an important part of our team.

“I think the chairman needs to sit down and lock them both in a room and hopefully get something sorted out.

“He is so important to us and the club, he really is, and so is Gareth McAuley.

“Those two are such a vital part of the team and it’s people like Jonas we need to be keeping if we are going to be pushing on.

“We need to make sure we don’t lose players like this.”

Foster’s comments carry weight.

The goalkeeper feels Albion’s central defensive partnership is one of the best in the top flight.

Albion have kept eight clean sheets in their last 10 home games.

They have yet to concede a goal at The Hawthorns this season, having beaten Liverpool 3-0, Everton 2-0 and Reading 1-0.

This weekend bottom club Queens Park Rangers come to B71.

Foster continued: “I don’t think there is a better partnership throughout the Premier League right now.

“They play week in and week out, I don’t think they’ve missed a game for a good long time.

“You take all those things into account and I’d much rather be playing with those two than the majority of defensive pairings.

“They are all firing in training as well.”