West Brom boss Tony Mowbray is reportedly ready to test Sheffield Wednesday's resolve by making a £3million bid for defender Mark Beevers.The 18-year-old centre-back was a shining light for the Owls last season, and played a major part in their successful fight against relegation.

Beevers, named Player of the Year by Wednesday fans, first caught Mowbray's eye when he helped his team earn a 1-1 draw at The Hawthorns last November.

And the classy 6ft 4ins defender also impressed when Albion left Hillsborough with a 1-0 win, thanks to Kevin Phillips' stoppage-time winner, in March.

The Baggies are not alone in admiring Beevers, with Chelsea and Everton having been linked with him at various points last season.

But Mowbray, who has been given a £20million warchest to strengthen his squad for the Premier League campaign, is ready to put a bid on the table for Brian Laws to consider.

The Albion gaffer has already spent £6.3million landing Luke Moore, Roman Bednar and Kim Do-heon on permanent deals, and has earmarked £2-3million for a new central midfielder, with Plymouth's Peter Halmosi, Swansea's Ferrie Bodde and Wolves star Seyi Olofinjana all contenders.

Mowbray had put aside £2.5million for Newcastle's Shola Ameobi in case Kevin Phillips decided not to sign a new contract at The Hawthorns.

But the veteran hitman has now hinted he is likely to accept the offer of a one-year deal, so Mowbray has turned his attention to bolstering his defence.

There are question marks over the future of pacy defender Martin Albrechtsen, who is out of contract, while Mowbray decided not to take up an option to sign Bostjan Cesar on permanent terms.

That would leave Leon Barnett as the club's only specialist centre-back if Albrechtsen leaves, as Neil Clement played there at the end of last season.

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