High noon looms for Mowbray

Albion boss Tony Mowbray hopes to make a breakthrough in his transfer hunt this week - ensuring he's got new faces on board for Sunday's FA Cup crunch with Wolves.

Mowbray has until noon on Friday to make signings in time for them to play at Molineux in the fourth round tie.

Hibernian duo Scott Brown and Kevin Thomson appear the most likely arrivals, with Albion stepping up their interest.

And Mowbray admits he's desperate to strengthen, not only to boost his options ahead of Sunday's showdown but also keep his side's promotion challenge ticking over.

"I hope there will be some developments," said the Baggies boss. "It's proving difficult to tie deals down but there's plenty going on in the background.

"If we do get people, then great, if not then we'll have to hope we don't get too many injuries or suspensions as we go along.

"We've won seven and drawn two out of the last 10 and we've done that with this squad

"But the more games you play, the more intense they become and there is a danger you can pick up injuries and suspensions and it can become harder to win football matches when you're best players are sitting in the stand."

Albion have been linked with Holland under-21 striker Sherjill MacDonald, but any move may depend on Nathan Ellington's future.

Zoltan Gera remains a target for Middlesbrough, but it has emerged keeper Brad Jones, tipped as a makeweight in the deal, could join Albion regardless.

By Steve Marshall