West Bromwich Albion's Steve Clarke: 'Nicolas Anelka is top quality'

West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke has branded Nicolas Anelka "a top-quality player" following the Frenchman's brace in their 3-0 win over Puskas Academy on Monday.

The 34-year-old, who has previously played for Arsenal and Chelsea, moved to the Baggies from Shanghai Shenhua this summer.

"I don't have to stand here and talk Nicolas Anelka up as being a player," Clarke told the club's official website.

"Where he's been in the football world and what he's done in the football world tells you that he's a top-quality player and we're just happy to have him in our group this season.

"I never had a doubt about Nicolas because I'd worked with him at Chelsea. I was with Avram Grant when we bought him in the January. So I knew the type of person he was, the type of player he is."

Anelka spent the second half of last season on loan at Juventus.