Tony Mowbray scouting the market for Premier League

Apr 23 2008 By Chris Lepkowski

ALBION have been scouting players for a possible Premier League assault for some time, according to Tony Mowbray.

The Baggies could be promoted next week, if they take a point against Southampton - if not earlier should Hull fail to beat Crystal Palace.

Mowbray has had players in mind for such an eventuality.

As well as looking domestically, Albion are expected to revisit the European market having brought in the likes of Slovenian Robert Koren, who came from Norwegian club Lillestrom, and Portuguese star Filipe Teixeira.

Mowbray claims he has been working behind the scenes to ensure plans are in place if Albion reach the top flight.

Speaking to the Birmingham Mail, he said: "In the bigger context you are always planning vaguely.

"We have been planning since the day I walked in for the Premier League and we have tried to bring in players with the quality to play in the Premier League.

"That's not all of them because sometimes you need to get players to get you out of a division but that process is ongoing.

"We have recruitment meetings on a regular basis and we are quite active.

"Recently we have improved, grown and enhanced the recruitment side of the club and we're watching a lot of games at the moment at home and abroad.

"The list of players we have is growing and you sift through them and look at areas you need to strengthen.

"You look at individuals and look at the cost-effectiveness and lots of other things.

"All that planning is going on now and it will probably just intensify if we know where we are sooner rather than later."