Earnshaw set to join Baggies

Cardiff and Wales striker Robert Earnshaw passed a medical with West Brom last night – and is expected to put pen to paper in the next 48 hours.

The 23-year-old was missing from Cardiff’s Coca-Cola Championship clash at Stoke yesterday as he discussed personal terms with the Baggies.

With Tuesday’s transfer deadline looming, he is expected to make the switch in a deal worth £3.5m (€5.2m).

A club statement from Cardiff read: “A fee for the transfer of Robert Earnshaw to West Bromwich Albion has been agreed.

“The player has been given permission to talk to West Brom and subject to the player agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, the transfer will be completed by the Premier League deadline.”

Agent Mel Eaves revealed Earnshaw passed his medical and is ready prove himself in the top flight.

Eaves said: “It’s obviously been a huge wrench for Robert to leave Cardiff, but he wants to play Premiership football and Cardiff respect that.”

He added: “Everything went fine with his medical but we are still talking. There’s been no movement on him actually signing a contract, so at this point I would stress he’s still a Cardiff City player.

“But it should be just a case of looking at the finer details and going from there.”

The deal could see Earnshaw linking up again with former Cardiff boss Frank Burrows, now Gary Megson’s assistant manager at Albion.

Burrows sent the diminutive striker on loan to Scottish side Greenock Morton and was recalled him after a prolific spell.

Earnshaw has been an instant hit with Bluebirds fans since and has plundering 105 league and cup goals. He has also become an important component in Mark Hughes’ Wales squad after scoring a famous winner on his debut against Germany in a friendly at the Millennium Stadium four years ago.

There has been reported interest from a host of clubs including Celtic but until now Cardiff have rejected any moves.