Billy Jones set to leave West Brom after rejecting new contract

The club appear resigned to losing Jones after he turned down improved terms to remain at The Hawthorns for another two seasons.

The full-back looks set to depart as a free agent, leaving the Baggies hunting for two right-backs with Steven Reid also likely to go. Jones, one of the most improved players at the club, rejected an improved two-year deal in October.

And, in recent talks, the club have become convinced the former Crewe and Preston man has made up his mind to exercise his rights as a free agent.

Whether Albion will have a new boss to help convince Jones, 27, to stay remains to be seen, with plans to appoint their new head coach by early June after work began to draw up a seven-man shortlist from more than 50 applicants.

The Baggies parted company with Pepe Mel on Monday and have set aside up to four weeks to find the man to lead them into next season. Chairman Jeremy Peace will interview the final three candidates before making his decision with sacked Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood now bookies' favourites and former Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle gaining support.

New technical director Terry Burton and director of football administration Richard Garlick will compile the shortlist. Peace and chief executive Mark Jenkins will then help whittle the seven down to a top three for interviews with the plan to confirm an appointment in early June, a month before the squad report back for pre-season.

Former caretaker boss and assistant head coach Keith Downing can expect to make the initial list if he confirms his interest.

However, he is likely to face stiff competition from the likes of ex-Tottenham managers Sherwood and Hoddle who would fit the head coach role favoured by the Baggies. Ex-Baggies captain Derek McInnes and Brian McDermott are also sure to be mentioned.