Craig Gardner set for a return to West Brom this week

The Baggies have moved quickly to snap up the 27-year-old Brummie after he was released by Sunderland following three years on Wearside.

Gardner has been on Albion's radar for several years and the club tried unsuccessfully to sign him during the January transfer window after enquiring about a possible deal during Roy Hodgson's Hawthorns reign.

Contract talks are progressing well and Gardner is expected to undergo a medical imminently before putting pen to paper.

He will be the first new face this summer and the signing would be a signal that Albion plan to press ahead with rebuilding their squad even before appointing their new head coach.

They released five players on Friday with five more leaving after season-long loans in the Midlands.