Darren Moore wants Craig Dawson to stay at West Brom long-term

Albion’s boss has confirmed he wants to keep hold of the centre-back in January and believes he is on his way back to his best after spending the summer agitating for a move.

Dawson was initially left out of the squad after failing to turn up to Moore’s pre-season training camp in Portugal and handing in a transfer request.

But he is now a crucial cog in Albion’s back-line and according to Moore, ‘a great leader’.

“Daws is now showing a great level of consistency,” said Moore. “There’s a feeling he’s getting back to the better performances I know he can produce.

"There are aspects to his game where I’m thinking ‘yeah, he’s on his way back’. He’s a great leader. We know the stellar performances he’s put in, we know his threat from set plays.

“He’s an exceptional talent on the ball and as a defender. He’s improved immensely thanks to the time we’ve invested in him, and that’s the reason we had the interest in him in the summer.

“It wasn’t right for West Brom, but it’s great to see he’s making his 200th appearance for the football club and we hope there’s many more to come.”

Although Moore is yet to speak to Dawson about the January window, he confirmed he wanted to keep hold of both him and Jay Rodriguez, who also had Premier League interest in the summer.

“Of course we want to keep our players,” said Moore. “If there is any interest in our players it shows they’re doing the right thing.

“As well as identifying players to try and come in and strengthen, we want to keep hold of our players because they’re important.

“I haven’t really spoken to him, because there’s more than enough to worry us with the league games before January.

“I’m focused on keeping the squad together and moving onto the next game.

“This league doesn’t allow you to focus on much else. We’re coming into a run of four games in a short space of time.”

But Moore has told the players they can speak to him at any time if they would like to discuss the January window.

“All of the players know I’ve got an open door policy,” he said. “Any of them can come and speak to me, staff and players alike.

“I haven’t gone to speak to those two (Dawson and Rodriguez) in particular but I’m available for my whole squad to speak to me if they want.”