Darren Moore refuses to rule out signing another defender amid links with Wolves man Kortney Hause

Hause was close to joining Aston Villa at the start of the month but the claret and blue club baulked at the asking price for the 23-year-old.

Albion have already signed Mason Holgate on loan from Everton in January, but Moore has refused to rule out doing more business at the back.

When asked about interest in Hause and the potential for signing another defender he said: “We’re looking at all areas of the pitch.

“Any manager will tell you, if the right players come up in the right areas of the pitch and they can improve the squad and we have the opportunity to get them in, we will do so.

“That goes for every single area of the pitch, because you’re always looking to improve, and strengthen. You always want to try and move forward.

“If any player of a standard of quality becomes available and is right for us, I see no problem in trying to sign them.

“If it helps short-term and long-term, without a doubt yeah.”

Hause has not played a minute of Premier League football this season, and Wolves are willing to let him leave this month.

Villa boss Dean Smith has made defence his priority this January and was close to signing the England under-21 international. But the deal has hit a snag.

Hause played in the same Wolves team as current Albion player Bakary Sako that finished seventh in the Championship under Kenny Jackett.

If the young defender joined Albion from Wolves, he would become the first player to cross the Black Country divide since Paul Edwards in 1994.

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: "It's one of the things we also look at in the transfer window.

"When we have a player who needs time to play, and we think that is the best option – not only for that player – and all the parties are satisfied and interested, we talk about it and decide."

Albion are also interested in taking Everton midfielder James McCarthy on loan for the rest of the season.

But there are concerns over his fitness after a lengthy lay-off due to a broken leg he suffered against the Baggies last season.