West Brom want Arsenal star on loan again

Mar 31 2009 by Chris Lepkowski

TONY Mowbray has revealed for the first-time that Albion have already discussed with Arsenal the feasibility of taking Jay Simpson on loan next season.

The 20-year-old is at The Hawthorns until the end of the season.

Although he has struggled for form in recent games, Mowbray has been impressed with his development and application since arriving from Arsenal in the New Year.

And the Albion boss may try to re-sign him next season if the terms are right and all parties agree to the move.

"It’s something we’ve tipped-toed into with Arsenal," Mowbray told the Birmingham Mail.

"At this moment we’ll keep those conversations in-house.

"But it is something we’ve explored with Arsenal and we’ll see what’s decided in the longer term.

"He came on the scene and played with an innocence to his game.

"He gave everyone a lift and a spark, and looked very, very bright.

"He picked up an injury at Burnley mainly because of the game time he was getting.

"He’d never been asked to play Premier League football for 10 or so games on the bounce.

"Unsurprisingly he picked up an injury and he hasn’t quite hit the levels he had since coming back from the injury.

"It is undoubtedly there and it is up to us rediscover that and give him the opportunity to rediscover that."