Albion manager Mark McGhee today revealed Dean Blackwell is on the verge of launching his quest for a new contract.

Blackwell, one of 11 players out of contract at the end of the season, is expected to join in training with the rest of the squad next week.

The former Wimbledon centre half has been sidelined since last summer, when he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in training.

McGhee said: "We hope Dean is going to get the go-ahead to train on Monday. We will build him up slowly but he will be involved, which is great news for him and us.

"With the injury he has had we are not putting any expectations on him.

"We will just wait and see, but certainly if we can get him back fit he will be competitive in terms of getting in the team. We would love to have him as an option."

Albion honoured a one-year contract offer to Blackwell, even though the 34-year-old had not signed it when he sustained the injury.

Simon Rodger, also ruled out by cruciate knee ligament damage, is out of contract at the end of the season as well together with Guy Butters, John Piercy, Dan Marney, Dan Beck, David Lee, Geoff Pitcher, Adam Virgo and Dean Hammond.

Robbie Pethick, currently on loan to Weymouth, has already been told he will probably not be offered fresh terms but Nathan Jones is assured of another deal as he has made a required number of appearances.

McGhee's contract review of the whole squad is starting to take shape.

"I have established in my own mind with the chairman exactly how we are going to take things forward," he said. "Now over the next few weeks I will be starting to talk to players."