Albion miss out on John Carew signing

Albion look set to have missed out on the signing of Villa striker John Carew after the Norway international passed a medical at Stoke.

Roberto Di Matteo had hoped to s the move before their Premier League clash with Blackburn after Albion held productive talks with Villa over a move yesterday.

But Carew's agent has subsequently been in negotiations with Stoke, who are believed to be able to offer a more attractive financial package which has tempted the player to move to the Potteries.

Sunderland had also been in the running to sign the 31-year-old forward but Carew appears reluctant to move to the north east for family reasons.

It is now likely to be a straight battle between Albion and Stoke for Carew's signature with Ishmael Miller's loan spell at QPR set to be extended until the end of the season if the Baggies can complete a deal.

Carew is keen to draw a line under his Villa career despite public assurances from boss Gerard Houllier that he would be given a role should he stay at Villa Park.

And, despite his diplomatic comments regarding the giant striker, Houllier is now willing to let Carew leave following the club record signing of Darren Bent.

Emile Heskey is also just one game away from completing a three-match suspension, potentially leaving Carew well down the pecking order.

Carew's weekly wage at Villa Park is in excess of £50,000, putting him well ahead of Hawthorns top-earner Paul Scharner, who is believed to be picking up around £30,000.

But Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace is willing to cover the cost for a short-term loan in the hope it will clinch Premier League football for Albion for another season.

The arrival of Carew would almost certainly herald the temporary departure of Miller, who returned to full training yesterday after a hamstring problem and now looks poised to join QPR.

The former Manchester City man has had an injury-hit spell at The Hawthorns and boss Di Matteo believes regular Championship games would be a useful next phase in his rehabilitation.

"Ishmael trained yesterday for the first time," said Di Matteo. "If the loan happens it will be for the rest of the season. In the last 18 months he hasn't been able to play one game of 90 minutes.

"He needs to play consistently week in, week out to be able to reach his full potential and match fitness."