Craig Dawson nearing Albion exit

The newly-promoted Premier League club have now lodged a third bid for the 24-year-old England Under 21 defender who wants to leave The Hawthorns.

And with Burnley getting closer to Albion's valuation, the prospects of Dawson leaving grow ever more likely. Burnley boss Sean Dyche wasn't giving too much away when asked about the progress of the deal – but it is clear the transfer is advancing.

Dyche said: "There are a couple of things that are ongoing and a couple of fresh things that are just developing.

"It is a bit protracted with a couple of things, but sometimes that's the nature of how it is, if you can't throw money everywhere."

Albion feel they have sufficient cover in 'flexible' summer signings Andre Wisdom and Chris Baird should Dawson leave – although a 'like for like' replacement is not ruled out.

But with three international defenders now competing with Joleon Lescott this summer joining Gareth McAuley and Jonas Olsson, the club feels central defence is a strong position.

New man Lescott will be relieved when he is injury-free to carry his challenge for a starting role.

"It's just frustrating being injured," he said.

"I've got something in my calf – some damage to my muscle and nerves around it. It's taken longer than usual. I've been doing a lot of fitness work. I've done some rehab stuff, swimming, work on the bike – just to keep my fitness up.

"I haven't really trained with Gareth and Jonas yet but I know how well they've done. Good teams are about strength in depth.

"Whoever is the best fit then they'll play and that means we have to give 100 per cent. Whichever club I've been at I've had this challenge."

The Baggies pre-season programme steps up a gear with tomorrow's friendly at Nottingham Forest which head coach Alan Irvine hopes will see the team's playing style taking shape.

He says: "I'm a purist, I would love us to be regarded as the best football team in the division, but I'm also a realist."

and I know that we've got to win games and so we have to find a way of winning.

"Long term you would hope that our football would become what everyone would want to see, myself included, but short term we've got to win games and find a way of doing that."