According to The Birmingham Mail, West Brom are lining up a loan bid for Everton midfielder James McCarthy. 

The 28-year-old has not featured for The Toffees so far this season under new manager Marco Silva, after recovering from a leg break he sustained in January last year. A loan move for Republic of Ireland international will allow him to regain his match fitness potentially for a return next season.

The central midfielder has become a target for a number of clubs, and West Brom are one of them. The Baggies clearly see his position as an area where they must bolster their squad, with Gareth Barry, Chris Brunt, James Morrison and Wes Hoolahan all in their 30s. They have already shown an interest in Tottenham's midfielder Victor Wanyama in the first few days of the transfer window, and are wasting no time in recruiting in this area.

The Baggies are probably keen to bring a new face in the midfield as soon as possible given the ban to Jake Livermore for his second red card of the season. The England midfielder has been instrumental to West Brom this season, only missing one Championship game, but will miss the entirety of January. Manager Darren Moore will be ruing the decision by Livermore, as his side host second place Norwich next weekend in a game that could go a long way in deciding West Brom's season.

The quicker The Baggies could force through a move for McCarthy, the stronger the team will be come the visit from The Canaries.