West Bromwich Albion are fourth in the Championship table on 47 points, six points off second-placed Norwich City with a game in hand.

The Baggies are in a strong position to challenge for a return to the Premier League, but they suffered a huge blow earlier this month when Leicester City decided to recall Harvey Barnes from his loan spell at the club.

Barnes scored nine times and registered seven assists in his 26 Championship appearances for Albion before returning to the King Power Stadium.

West Brom are not the same team without him, but the show must go on and head coach Darren Moore will be looking to replace the 21-year-old.

With that in mind, we have taken a look at three free agents that could fill the Barnes void at the Hawthorns in the second half of the season.

Stephen Ireland

Stephen Ireland joined Bolton Wanderers in October 2018, but left just two months later having not made a single appearance for the club.

The 32-year-old is approaching the latter stages of his career, but there is no question that he is a class operator when in full flow.

A player with 245 Premier League appearances to his name, a short-term move for Ireland might not be the worst idea in the world for the Baggies.

Niko Kranjcar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Niko Kranjcar played 11 times for Rangers last season, but his contract was not renewed and the 34-year-old has been without a club since.

An incredibly gifted footballer, the Croatian might fancy one last stint in English football and has previous experience of the Championship with Queens Park Rangers.

The fact that he is capable of operating in a number of different positions in the final third of the field will surely be of interest to head coach Moore.

Alexander Kacaniklic

The former Fulham attacker Alexander Kacaniklic is available on a free transfer having left Nantes at the end of last season.

Just 27 years of age, the versatile midfielder has plenty of experience of Championship football having turned out for Fulham, Watford and Burnley in the second tier of English football.

Kacaniklic is also a 19-time Sweden international, but he has not been involved for the national team since 2014.