Albion are ready to bid for the services of Scotland international striker Garry O’Connor this summer.

The Baggies tried to buy the Russia-based forward in January only to be put off by the £3.9m valuation by his club Lokomotiv Moscow.

But the player himself has now confirmed to the Russian media that a move back to the UK is on because his family have struggled to settle.

And Albion and Newcastle have been mentioned as possible destinations. “I have options,” says O’Connor. “I have thought about Newcastle and West Bromwich, who are both interested.

“West Brom are managed by my old coach Tony Mowbray who really improved my game in Scotland. He is trying to build a new side and they also have a good chance of going up to the Premiership.

“I’m not decided what I will do, but I’m interested in the options I have and will need to consider what I do this summer. My wife has not settled and if an English club make an offer I will think about it.”

The 24-year-old is keen to come home after 15 months in the Russian capital following his £1.6m move from Hibs 15 months ago.

It was there that he first worked under Mowbray who brought him out of a form slump and helped him regain his international place.

There have been plenty of signals from Mowbray that, with or without promotion, changes will be made this summer. O’Connor began his career with local club Hibs in May 1999, making his initial breakthrough under manager Bobby Williamson in 2001. 

His excellent strike rate at such a young age caught the eye of then Scotland manager Berti Vogts and he won his first cap against South Korea in 2002.

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