Albion are keeping tabs on in-form Coventry striker Leon Best ahead of possible January transfer bid.

The Baggies have joined a group of clubs monitoring the Republic of Ireland international, who could be available at reduced price this winter after contract talks stalled at the Ricoh Arena.

Rumours today that Roberto Di Matteo was poised to sign the 23-year-old immediately on loan are wide of the mark, but Best is on a list of potential January targets as the Baggies look to press home their advantage at the top of the Championship.

The Italian watched Best score in the Sky Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Derby on Friday although he attended the game primarily to watch the Rams, who Albion face later this month. Best’s name has been mentioned behind the scenes at The Hawthorns with his impressive form for Coventry catching the eye.

But Albion’s need for immediate reinforcements in attack have receded in the last fortnight with Roman Bednar returning from injury, Luke Moore finding better form and Simon Cox getting his first League goal for the club.

Instead, the Baggies, who won 2-1 at Leicester on Saturday, are likely to continue assessing Best’s form before deciding whether to step up their interest when the transfer window re-opens in January.