Wolves in battle to get Jonathan Woodgate

Wolves were today facing another Black Country transfer battle with West Brom after the Baggies nudged ahead in the race to sign former England defender Jonathan Woodgate.

The 31-year-old, a long-standing Wolves target, has held talks over a free transfer move to The Hawthorns after he was released by Tottenham earlier this week.

And it is understood Roy Hodgson is ahead of Mick McCarthy in the race for Woodgate, who is looking to kick-start his career following an injury-blighted spell at White Hart Lane.

However, any deal would have to take into account Woodgate's dreadful recent injury record with the former Leeds, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Middlesbrough man having played just once for Spurs last season.

A series of fitness problems restricted him to just 65 appearances after he moved to North London from Middlesbrough, his hometown club, in a deal worth £8m three and a half years ago.

A serious knee injury also wrecked his dream move to Madrid, restricting him to just 14 appearances in two seasons.

Missing

But Albion are willing to investigate the possibility of signing Woodgate who, before his injury problems struck, was regarded as one of the most talented English centre-backs of his generation.

The Molineux club made a failed bid to sign Woodgate on loan in January and have retained an interest.

The Woodgate development comes on the back of Wolves missing out on Matt Mills after the centre-half snubbed Molineux and joined Championship side Leicester City yesterday.

Birmingham's Roger Johnson remains Wolves' prime central defensive target and they are willing to play a waiting game as they hope to come to a compromise over the fee.

Blues want £9m for the 28-year-old but Wolves believe the club could soon come under pressure to sell their star names after the financial reality of relegation kicks in.

The Black Country sides are also both in the running to sign Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell.