There's still a long way to go in the Championship promotion race, but it's fair to say that West Bromwich Albion have been excellent so far this season and have put themselves in a brilliant position to return to the Premier League.

The Baggies are currently second in the league table and are currently nine points ahead of the team in third place. They've lost just twice all season and are also the top scorers in the division.

Therefore, following their promising start to the campaign, it's possible that head coach Slaven Bilic may not feel the need to strengthen his squad in the January transfer window as much as other managers in the division might.

There could be one or two departures from The Hawthorns this month, though. Here are THREE players that it would make sense for West Brom to shift this window...

Nathan Ferguson

This is something that West Brom fans won't want to hear, but the reality is that Albion have a big decision to make when it comes to the future of Nathan Ferguson.

The 19-year-old has been one of the standout performers for the Baggies so far this season, but with his contract at The Hawthorns set to expire in the summer, January is the club's last chance to cash in on the highly-rated full-back.

He's been offered a new long-term deal, but as things stand at the moment, it doesn't look like he's going to sign it.

It would be a major disappointment for West Brom to allow a player of his quality and potential to leave the club for nothing, so unless he has a sudden chance of heart, it would make sense for the club to sell the player this month.

Rekeem Harper

Rekeem Harper was a key player for West Brom towards the end of last season and after committing his future to the club in the summer, the 19-year-old would have expected to kick on this campaign, but instead he's struggled for game time under Bilic.

Bilic has said that he could yet have a role to play this season, but with the likes of Romaine Sawyers and Filip Krovinovic ahead of him in the pecking order, the reality is that it's difficult to see the midfielder getting many chances in the team.

He's a talented player and could be one to watch for the future at Albion, but if he isn't going to get into the team, it would make sense for him to go out on loan this month to try to gain some more experience.

Chris Brunt

Chris Brunt has been one of the standout players for West Brom over the past 13 years. The 35-year-old is a legend at the club, but the reality is that his time at The Hawthorns is coming to an end.

He's made just four substitute appearances for the Baggies in the Championship this season and the return of Gareth Barry has seen him pushed further down the pecking order.

His contract at the club is set to expire at the end of the season and he's been linked with a move to fellow Championship side Stoke City this month.

If he wants to continue his career, remaining at West Brom until the end of the season and not playing is going to harm his chances of finding a new club in the summer.

Even though he's an important for Bilic, if he wants to leave, it can be argued that it would make little sense for West Brom to deny him that opportunity, especially considering everything he's achieved for the club over the years.

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The club should have enough quality and depth in midfield to cope without him and there's still plenty of time remaining in the current window for Bilic to find a replacement for him if needed.

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.