“If the deal can be done then I would be very happy to see him here.”

Foster continued: “New faces are always welcome. It keeps the squad fresh, gives the manager options - especially with the injuries we’ve had.

“A few weeks ago we had about 12 players out for one reason or another.

“We had about seven people training on a Thursday a few weeks ago, which is incredible.”

Perhaps the one player who has the most to lose from Ridgewell’s potential arrival is Nickey Shorey.

The left-back joined Foster at yesterday’s event at the Albion Foundation.

But the ex-Reading man is more than happy to fight for his place in the Baggies side should Albion and Blues come to an agreement in the coming days.

“I have no problem with it,” he added.

“We want to try and build a squad here.

“He would be a great addition to the club.

“It never worries me when people look to sign players in your position.

“Throughout your whole career from 18 to what I am now at 30 there are people ready to step in. That’s what football is about.”