Jones and McAuley, formerly of Preston and Ipswich respectively, both signed three-year contracts with the Baggies, and could soon be joined at the Hawthorns by Fulham midfielder Zoltan Gera, who will undergo a medical with the club.

West Brom were dangerously close to the relegation zone last season after a mid-season slump, but Hodgson said the club was working hard to turn things around this season.

"There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes at the moment, we'd like to strengthen our squad further," Hodgson said.

"We moved very quickly for Gareth and Billy because as players that are going to be free from their clubs, they attract a lot of interest."

"As we'd identified them as two players that we would like at our club it was important that we moved quickly and attempt to persuade them that this was where their future lies."

Gera needed post-season surgery to rectify an ankle problem, but Hodgson said he was confident the operation would not hinder his transfer.

"I've made no secret of the fact that Zoltan's a player that I would be very interested in bringing back to West Brom," Hodgson said.

"This is where his career (in England) began. I thought he continued it very successfully at Fulham and now he's looking to move on again."

"It would be great if we could bring him back to West Brom, which is his alma mater to some extent, but talks are ongoing."

"His operation may have complicated things slightly but I'm still pretty confident that the operation will go well and we'll be able to sign him."

Jones, 24, has made 251 Championship appearances, including the last four seasons with Preston, while 31-year-old McAuley has spent the last five years with Championship sides Leicester and Ipswich.