West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson is keen on Sunderland midfielder Craig Gardner.

Hodgson, who yesterday completed the £400,000 signing of Scotland Under-21 midfielder Scott Allan from Dundee United, has confirmed his interest in homesick Sunderland midfielder Gardner.

He added: "Someone like him becoming available would, I'm sure, alert the Midlands clubs. It's just a question of can you afford him?"