West Brom close to signing Ben Foster

West Brom are closing in on the signing of Birmingham keeper Ben Foster, Press Association Sport understands.

The Baggies are on the verge of finalising a deal to sign Foster on loan initially, with a view to the transfer becoming permanent next summer.

Albion head coach Roy Hodgson has been searching for a new number one keeper since Scott Carson signed for Turkish side Bursaspor last month.

He has been linked with West Ham's Robert Green but Foster was always amongst his leading targets.

The former Manchester United player had an outstanding first campaign at St. Andrew's after a £6-million move.

He helped Blues to win the Carling Cup - their first trophy for nearly 50 years - but was powerless to stop them from being relegated from the Barclays Premier League.

Foster, 28, has made it clear he would prefer to remain in the midlands and a switch to Albion would fit the bill.

It is also understood that Birmingham are keen to remove Foster's salary from their wage bill.