Tony Mowbray looking for West Brom goalkeepers to "fight it out"

Former number one Alex Palmer departed on a deadline day move to Ipswich Town in a deal worth up to £5million as Albion moved to bring promising Josh Griffiths, 23, back from loan at Bristol Rovers.

Griffiths will compete with the Baggies' other senior goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith for a start at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday lunchtime and for the remainder of the season.

Mowbray remained tight-lipped about his decision to face the Owls but during his Friday morning press conference hinted that last summer's free transfer Wildsmith could have the nod because he has been a strong performer and regular in training since the head coach made his return to The Hawthorns three weeks ago.

"I think we're still pretty strong (in goal) - I know there's a debate about who is going to play this week, Wildsmith or Josh Griffiths? It's good we've got competition," said Mowbray.

"I would like them to fight it out really. But somebody's got to start this week, let's see what happens in the next game and the next game.

"We didn't bring Josh back and give him the number one shirt, I think you've got to earn it in my mind. I've got no problem them having different numbers and then some stage - maybe the start of next season - we have to have a number one.

"I've only watched on video Griffiths' goalkeeping, sessions and playing at Bristol. Joe has been here in every meeting, every training session, worked really hard, let's see how they compete and who gets the number one for next season."

Griffiths was this week assigned the number 20 shirt on his return from the League One Gas, where the academy product excelled this season.

Wildsmith, who left Derby last summer to check in as a free transfer, wears 23. His appearances have been limited to cup action, the August EFL Cup defeat at Fleetwood and last month's 5-1 FA Cup exit at Bournemouth.

The 29-year-old is Sheffield born and came through the junior ranks at Wednesday, his boyhood club. His last Championship football came for Wednesday in the 2020/21 lockdown campaign.

Griffiths has 159 club appearances to his name despite a tender age, but just 10 have been in the second tier.

Mowbray added of his decision: "I only met him (Griffiths) two days ago, he's a big presence but still a boy from what I can see.

"It's difficult for me to go 'you've been playing for Bristol Rovers, awesome, let's get you in our goal'.

"I've seen Joe train every day, he keeps the ball out the net generally. I don't sit here thinking 'I hope I don't have to play the number two' and I've been at clubs where I've had that.

"I think we've got two goalies who can compete to be number one and whoever misses out will be unfortunate."

Mowbray felt the decision to sell Ipswich made sense for all parties.

He said: "The first thing I'll say is I'm happy for Alex. He's been at the club a long time. He was a little bit unsure. Last year there was an opportunity for him to go elsewhere and he didn't.

"After the first conversation he came back in, shut the door and shook my hand and said he was going. I think it's good for him, he's going to the Premier League. Who doesn't want to go to the Premier League?

"He felt it was the right thing for him. Was it the right thing for the club? When you take everything into consideration, all the financial things - yes.

"If it did help bring in Tammer (Bany) for instance, or (Adam) Armstrong's salary, then it makes sense to me. Sometimes you have to let one go to add in other areas."