Albion hand Lithuanian trial

Albion are poised to offer Lithuanian international striker Mindaugas Kalonas a trial as they scour the market for January transfer targets.

The 24-year-old hopes to check in for training with the Baggies in the next week after impressing with Bohemians in the League of Ireland.

The diminutive forward has struck six times in 12 appearances for the Bohs to attract scouts from La Liga side Sevilla as well as a host of Championship clubs.

Representatives of the 5ft 4ins tall player have now asked Albion about a trial and discussions are under way to arrange a training spell with Tony Mowbray's side.

Kalonas, who has 33 caps for Lithuania, will become a free agent later this month when his Bohemians contract expires and he seems certain to leave the Irish club to try his luck in a bigger European League.

The Express & Star understands the Baggies do not see Kalonas as the man to fill their much-publicised vacancy for a senior striker, but they could consider him as a 'bonus' free transfer signing if he impresses in training.

Any transfer would see the Baggies return to the League of Ireland, just months after they were pipped at the post by Celtic in the race for Derry City winger Paddy McCourt.

McCourt, like Kalonas, was seen as a raw talent who could be nurtured on the fringes of the Albion squad.

Kalonas was born in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, and played youth and reserve football for Dinamo Moscow, FC Saturn and SC Braga.

He launched his first team career in Latvia with Liepajas Metalurgs and moved to Kubin Krasnodar then FK Riga, for whom he caught the eye when playing against Bohemians in the Intertoto Cup.

He has found an impressive run of form for the Bohs, for whom he netted the winning penalty in their FAI Cup Final shoot-out victory over Derry .

Albion also continue to be linked in the national media with Bosnia international Semir Stilic, aged 21, of Lech Poznan.

The Baggies are thought to have watched the midfielder along with Celtic and Fulham.