Wolves are set to join Albion in a Black Country battle for Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell.

Molineux boss Mick McCarthy is a firm favourite of the centre-half, who can also fill in at left-back, and is up for grabs at around £3m.

McCarthy ideally wants someone of Premier League experience to fill his left-back spot, which has become a problem position in recent months.

At 26, the former Villa man is also relatively young, fitting the profile of players Wolves want to continue to attract to Molineux.

No approach has yet been made with Wolves concentrating their efforts at signing a central defender.

But an interest in the player has been established, with a source close to Ridgewell saying: “I think it will end up being a battle between Wolves and Albion for Liam.”

Both clubs could match Ridgewell’s £20,000-a-week wages at St Andrew’s. Wolves have other irons in the fire at left-back, with Hearts’ Lee Wallace a favourite after Liverpool’s Paul Konchesky’s wages proved prohibitive.

Wallace, 23, has a year left on his contract and would only cost around £1m.

Albion have yet to bid for Ridgewell but he remains on their list of possibles.

The Baggies confirmed interest in him several weeks ago and the 6ft 1in Londoner ticks a few boxes for them.

They are willing to sell Marek Cech, who is the only cover for first-choice Nicky Shorey and has another year on his contract.

Apart from Cech, they only have the out-of-favour Joe Mattock, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sheffield United, as the only other left-back.

Albion also need left-sided cover at centre-back for Jonas Olsson, who has missed spells in each of the last two seasons with Achilles problems.