West Brom director Luke Dowling provides January transfer window and Grady Diangana update

Penning his thoughts on the upcoming transfer window in the match day programme ahead of the Baggies' clash with Middlesbrough, Dowling confirmed that the club have plans in place for January.

He also stated that the club are eager to keep hold of Diangana, who's future has been cast into further doubt following the sacking of West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini.

The Chilean previously stated that Diangana was likely to stay at Albion, but following their wretched run of form and his exit, those plans may well have changed.

Dowling admits that Albion will be gaining clarity from the Hammers over his future.

"We are all only too aware that there is so much more to be done to achieve our goals and, as Slaven and the players have repeated on many occasions, no-one will be resting on any laurels." Dowling said.

"I know there will be some key issues Baggies fans will be talking about starting perhaps with Grady Diangana.

"We are expecting clarity from West Ham on this in the next few days as we have been in regular dialogue with them about Grady since he came to us.

"Grady has been a key figure for us, there's no point in denying that. Of course we will be doing all we can to persuade West Ham to allow him to continue his development with us.

"But just as with Harvey Barnes a year ago, we have no control over events at the player's parent club which can be the major influence on such decisions.

"We are working towards what we want to do in the summer but naturally there are ideas about how we might compensate for the loss of Grady should he be recalled."

Albion could look to bolster their side with permanent or loan deals through January, and Dowling claims that both options will be considered at The Hawthorns.

However, following several moves over last January's transfer window which failed to gain Albion promotion - Dowling is keen to avoid looking too far ahead with any deals next month.

"There were times last season when we were thinking too much about whether our targets might be able to eventually play Premier League football. That is not the case this time.

"We are in a dog fight in the Sky Bet Championship and the overriding question is whether or not any new recruits can help us get to the finishing line with our noses in front.

"The loan market can also be an attractive option at this stage and I think we could be looking at this as we did last year."