Albion set to seal Ben Foster signing

Albion were today poised to complete the signing of Ben Foster as their goalkeeper hunt neared its conclusion.

The Baggies are close to finalising deals with Foster and Birmingham and the transfer could even be completed later today.

The 28-year-old is set to move to the Hawthorns initially on loan, but the transfer is likely to become permanent next summer in a deal worth around £4million.

The former England international will become Roy Hodgson's new No 1 in a significant coup for Albion, who sold previous goalkeeper Scott Carson to Turkish club Bursaspor earlier this month.

The Baggies considered a host of alternative targets, most notably West Ham's Robert Green, but top target Foster leapt back to the head of the list when the extent of Blues' financial problems became clear.

St Andrew's officials are anxious to get his £1.5million annual salary off their books.