Hargreaves weighing up Albion's offer of career lifeline

Owen Hargreaves took the unusual step this summer of releasing videos of himself training to prove his fitness (Youtube)

Roy Hodgson revealed yesterday that West Bromwich Albion presented the former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves with a contract offer after a meeting with the player on Tuesday night and are waiting for his response.

Hodgson's medical department at West Bromwich, led by doctor Mark Gillett, have carried out their own tests on the 30-year-old, who has suffered from chronic tendinitis over the last three years, and are convinced that he represents a good investment. Hodgson (above) even hinted that the former England player may be offered more than a one-year deal.

Hargreaves played in just two games for United from 21 September 2008 to when his contract at the club expired at the end of June. A free agent, he has rebuilt his fitness with trainer Alex McKechnie and has gone to the extent of releasing on the internet training videos of him working out to demonstrate he is over his injuries.

Albion's director of football, Dan Ashworth, who has developed a reputation over the last two seasons for getting good value in the transfer market, has emailed Hargreaves a contract proposal. Hodgson said that, although he was keen to sign the player, he was aware that there would be competition from across Europe for him.

Hodgson said that he was sure Hargreaves would have a future in the game. "We'd like him to play for us but again, I'll have to be frank here. I met him on the Tuesday afternoon and left early Wednesday morning to come down here," Hodgson said, speaking at the Premier League's launch of a £500,000 fund to provide football kit to schools and youth organisations.

"We made it clear, 'Look, we've done the test, we agree with you, and your man Alex, that the knee's OK and you can play football. And of course if you'd like to come and play for us that would be lovely.' But whether or not our offer is going to be interesting to him, that's what I don't know." Hodgson added that Hargreaves was "very sanguine" about missing almost three years of football.

"I think he just wants to play football again. He was bitterly disappointed the way he had to leave English football, but he didn't speak badly about anybody. He was just more concerned, I think, to convince us, or maybe he's trying to convince other teams, that 'Listen, I'm a fit player, you can use me'."