West Bromwich Albion have made an impressive start to the 2023/24 season, cementing themselves as Championship play-off contenders and looking likely to be top-six finishers. Three points currently separate Albion from seventh-placed Sunderland, while six teams are within half a dozen points, meaning consistency must be maintained to keep position.
Carlos Corberan has done a superb job to first steady the ship and then push the football club in the right direction, but injuries to key players have halted his progress. West Brom don't have a huge budget but there may be no choice but to make a few new signings in January.
Transfer speculation hasn't been as rife as usual for this time of year but there are still some rumours emerging to get an idea of who Albion could end up bringing in. With that in mind, we've taken a look through the latest to form a potential starting XI for the start of February.
1. GK: Alex Palmer
Palmer has re-established himself as the number one goalkeeper at The Hawthorns after Josh Griffiths stepped in during an injury spell last campaign.
2. RB: Conor Bradley (in on loan from Liverpool)
TEAMtalk reports Albion are one of a dozen Championship clubs gunning to to sign the Liverpool right-back on loan this winter. The 20-year-old has impressed with the odd cameo in the UEFA Europa League.
3. CB: Cedric Kipre
Kipre has been one of the most consistent forces in the Baggies squad this campaign and will be eager to continue his fine form.
4. CB: Jake Cooper (in from Millwall)
Speculation has gone a little quiet over the last couple of months but West Brom were heavily linked with Cooper in the summer. He signed a new contract in August but that was just after a play-off challenging campaign. Cooper could be tempted for pastures new with Millwall in a relegation fight.