Craig Dawson has a part to play at West Brom

The England under-21 star has been a key figure in the Bolton's surge towards the Championship play-offs but his 93-day loan at the Reebok Stadium ends on April 27.

That rules Dawson out of Bolton's final game of the season at home to Blackpool and the play-offs, should Dougie Freedman's side claim a top-six finish.

But Clarke confirmed today he could use the 22-year-old Great Britain Olympics centre-back in the final four games of the Baggies' season against Wigan, Manchester City, Norwich and Manchester United.

Clarke said: "It's very possible. He's available for the last four games. He will be back and will be available for selection.

"We have had somebody watching every game and I've spoken to Dougie Freedman and we have had good feedback. He's done well, but we expected him to do.

"We have let one of our players drop down to the Championship – one of our good, young players – and it was similar to when George Thorne went to Peterborough.

"We expected George to do well there and he did. We have dropped Craig down a level into the Championship and we expected him to do well and he hasn't let us down."

Dawson has become a popular figure at Bolton and Freedman has refused to rule out a bid to sign him permanently in the summer.

A move is thought to be more likely if the Trotters win promotion.

Clarke insists Dawson remains part of his plans but has admitted the form of Jonas Olsson and Player of the Season favourite Gareth McAuley has made life difficult for Dawson and fellow centre-back Gabriel Tamas.

The Baggies head coach said: "It's been tough for anyone to get in front of Jonas and Gareth this season.

"Gabi Tamas has been working really well in training and, any time I have asked him to play, he's been excellent.

"But the form of the two centre-backs, Olsson and McAuley, has been top-drawer again. For anyone to try to disrupt that partnership will be difficult.

"But what we'd like to do is get Gabi or Craig to a level where they can challenge them and raise their own performances or get someone in here who can do even better.

"We want competition for places and that's what we are working towards."