West Bromwich Albion are keeping tabs on former Villa midfielder Craig Gardner – but Sunderland’s asking price could scupper a move.

Gardner’s representatives have put Midlands clubs on alert for a potential January move for the 25-year-old, who has struggled to settle since his summer switch to the Stadium of Light.

But West Brom and other potential buyers could be put off by the likely price-tag with the Black Cats keen to recoup the £5m they paid Birmingham for Gardner if he is to leave.

Albion boss Roy Hodgson said: “He’s a very good player and someone like Craig Gardner becoming available would, I’m sure, alert the Midlands clubs and clubs in the near vicinity.

“But the question of course, because he was bought at a time the transfer market wasn’t quite as down as it currently is, would be about the price and whether there are clubs who can afford him.

“I don’t think there are many clubs who would say ‘he’s no good, we don’t want him’. It’s just a question of whether they can afford him.”

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill is keen to keep Gardner but he conceded this week that the free-scoring midfielder is homesick.

The Gardner camp have sounded out a host of clubs nearer to his Birmingham base although Wolves, who tried to sign him last summer, have withdrawn from the race after signing Eggert Jonsson from Hearts and Emmanuel Frimpong on loan from Arsenal.

Albion would consider an initial loan deal with a view to a permanent signing but Sunderland are not keen.

Hodgson has, meanwhile, dismissed stories linking him to Reading striker Noel Hunt but Bristol City’s Nicky Maynard is still on the Hawthorns radar.

“We are just one of a number of clubs linked with him (Maynard) because he’s got six months left on his contract and his club are looking to cash in before he goes in on a free transfer in the summer,” said Hodgson, whose only January signing has been midfielder Scott Allan from Dundee United.

“I believe the players we’ve got will get us through the season. But I would lie if I didn’t say it would be good to bring in several new faces.”