Free agent Greg Halford plays for West Brom's under-23s
Albion have run the rule over free agent Greg Halford, handing him 45 minutes for their under-23s on his 34th birthday.
Halford, who was released by Cardiff City in the summer, played the first half in a 2-0 win over Reading's academy side on Saturday at Albion's Palm training ground in Walsall.
A highly versatile player, he made 20 appearances for Wolves after signing for Albion's rivals in 2009, mainly on the right side of midfield and right-back.
The Baggies primarily offered him the chance to play with them in order to keep himself fit, but they are not dismissing his potential to provide cover along their backline, where they are looking for reinforcements at both right-back and centre-back.
Apart from a five-year stint at Colchester United that started his career and a three-year stay at Nottingham Forest between 2012 and 2015, Halford's career has been a nomadic one.
He has also played for Reading, Sunderland, Charlton Athletic, Sheffield United, Portsmouth, Brighton, Rotherham, and Birmingham City.
But the former England under-20 international, who has spent most of his career in the Championship, is currently looking for a club.
Darren Moore has been no stranger to the free agent market this season, signing three players without clubs in their 30s on short-term contracts – Wes Hoolahan, Tyrone Mears, and Bakary Sako.
He also looked at Kieran Richardson, Martin Cranie and Nigel Reo-Coker in pre-season, although did not offer any of them deals.
Hoolahan played 90 minutes and scored a penalty in Saturday's 2-0 win for Jamie Smith's men in order to keep his fitness levels up.
His current contract runs out in January, and the Baggies are keen to look at him in action as much as possible before making a decision over whether to extend it or not.
Promising youngster Kyle Edwards scored Albion's other goal, lobbing the keeper after being gifted possession.
The first team have another tough Friday night fixture coming up, and travel to Sheffield United after their 2-2 draw in the derby with Villa.
Moore was delighted with his team's late goal last Friday – despite the controversy surrounding Jay Rodriguez's handball – because Albion had two days fewer to prepare than Villa.
"Credit to the boys for still going," said Moore. "I was in the technical area and could hear them on the pitch getting each other up for the game, when we had the drinks break they were all saying, 'come on, the goal's coming'.
"We didn't deserve to lose the game, at times we played some good stuff."
Meanwhile, Alan Pardew has been linked with the Atlanta United job. The former Baggies boss was spotted in the American city over the weekend.
