Albion boss Tony Mowbray has told defender Carl Hoefkens he must play his way out of the Hawthorns if he wants a January move.

The Belgian full-back stated last week he may look elsewhere for regular football in the transfer window, after falling down the Baggies pecking order

But Mowbray said: “Carl should come and see me about issues like that. I understand that footballers want to play and if they are his thoughts, so be it.

“The bottom line with any players who are unhappy, or not playing in the team on a regular basis, is that the phone has to ring about them.

“We are not advertising them so it’s about their talent. Carl will play in the reserves and there are always lots of people watching when the reserves are playing. “

Albion boss Mowbray reckons Gianni Zuiverloon is beginning to find his true level as he gets used to the rigours of life in England.

The Baggies boss believes the £3.2million Dutch full-back’s form is getting more consistent after a flying start to his Hawthorns career was followed by a brief dip in form.

Mowbray said: “Early on you get adrenaline and during the first few games Gianni was coping with the energy. He had been to the Olympics so he had an intense period and had little time off.”