<
>

West Brom hopeful of Rickie Lambert transfer from Liverpool - Tony Pulis

West Bromwich Albion are hoping to sign striker Rickie Lambert from Liverpool in the next few days, manager Tony Pulis says.

Lambert, who has played 11 times for England, will be allowed to leave Anfield a year after he arrived from Southampton in a £4 million deal.

The 33-year-old has made 12 starts for Reds boss Brendan Rodgers, but only two since rejecting a January move to Aston Villa.

With Rodgers bringing in Christian Benteke from Villa and Dany Ings from Burnley, Lambert is surplus to requirements at Liverpool.

Pulis told the Birmingham Mail: "Rickie is available. Liverpool have made that known. We'd be interested.

"It's very important that we get players who will score goals. Rickie's got a great goal-scoring record.

"From what I can gather from people at Liverpool, his fitness levels are very, very good, and he is desperate to play football.

"He didn't play last year so it's like bringing a brand new car out of the garage if we did sign him.

"Just putting a bit of petrol in it and letting it run."