Albion’s bid to strengthen the “next generation” gathered more pace today as the club remained tight-lipped about their recruitment plans for the Premier League campaign.

Reports from Ireland confirm that the Baggies are poised to sign Republic of Ireland youth international Lee Jay Lynch, as they continue efforts to strengthen the flow of home-reared players towards first-team consideration.

The 16-year-old Limerick midfielder is one for the future – with Albion fans still anxiously awaiting manager Tony Mowbray’s recruits for next season’s top-flight challenge, before his promotion winners reassemble next week for pre-season training.

Mowbray has been linked with a relentless stream of targets, ranging from Newcastle’s Shola Ameobi to Lyon’s Milan Baros, both of which have not been given any substance by Albion.

There are now claims that Albion have joined the race to sign Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde from Swansea, in competition with Derby.

Rams boss Paul Jewell has already had one bid for the player rejected.

Swansea insist they are in no mood to sell and added that a £2m valuation would have to be met before they would even consider a deal, with the player under contract.

Swans boss Roberto Martinez said: “He has got another two years on his contract and I can definitely see him playing for us next season.”

While the record-breaking number of season-ticket holders await to see what transfers Mowbray will be chasing before the first game at the Emirates Stadium, the work to find new talent continues.

Albion’s recent Academy-to-first team journey has been travelled only by Jared Hodgkiss and Stuart Nicholson.

Conscious of that and still smarting over the loss of highly-rated James Hurst to Portsmouth, the Baggies have had a record intake of 12 to 16-year-olds.