West Brom turn attention to Ehiogu

West Brom manager Bryan Robson has identified Middlesbrough central defender Ugo Ehiogu as a potential transfer target during the January window.

Robson paid out a then club record £8m (€11.6m) to sign Ehiogu from Aston Villa when manager of Boro in October 2000 although he worked with the player for only seven months before parting company with the club.

The fee would only be nominal this time if Albion can persuade Steve McClaren to allow Ehiogu, whose contract runs out in the summer, to leave the Riverside Stadium.

The 33-year-old has made 13 appearances this season but is no longer a first choice with Gareth Southgate and Chris Riggott the established pairing.

Matthew Bates and David Wheater, who were members of Boro’s FA Youth Cup-winning team of two years ago, are also ahead of Ehiogu in the pecking order.

The one-time England player has been dogged by injury problems in recent seasons, a combination of damaged knee ligaments, a punctured lung, broken ribs, hamstring and groin problems.

Robson is keen to provide competition and cover for the current centre-back duo of Curtis Davies and Neil Clement.

The Baggies chief has admitted to having little money available to spend in January and Ehiogu would fit into the category of player that he could bring to The Hawthorns.

Boro are interested in Aston Villa’s transfer-seeking defender Mark Delaney who has asked for a move because he is frustrated at not being offered a new contract.

Delaney is primarily regarded as a right-back but has slotted in effectively at centre-half during the festive programme because of Olof Mellberg’s hamstring injury.

Portsmouth are also understood to be keen on the services of 29-year-old Delaney who has just returned to action after knee and groin problems.