Albion want to keep Gary Gardner for the rest of the season.

The midfielder's loan from Aston Villa is due to expire on January 1.

Albion boss Sami Hyypia is eager to Gardner's services, with no end in sight to the injury absence of Dale Stephens and Andrew Crofts out for the rest of the campaign with knee damage.

Hyypia said: "We've had some talks and I would very much like Gary to stay with us until the end of the season.

"I've talked with him already and hopefully we can sort things out so that he can stay."

Gardner, 22, has made 15 appearances for Albion and scored in each of the last two home games against Wigan and Blackburn Rovers.

Stephens has yet to feature under Hyypia after damaging ankle ligaments in April.

Hyypia said: "Dale is up and down. It must be frustrating for him. He doesn't know when he will be back.

"One week it's a bit better and one week it's a bit worse. We need to try to do everything we can to get him fit as soon as possible but it is going up and down quite a lot. Hopefully for his mental sake he will be back soon."

Hyypia has hinted that Solly March is in contention for a place on the bench against Fulham at the Amex tomorrow.

The versatile playmaker was due to make a 45-minute comeback from four months out with a stress fracture of the back in Wednesday's postponed development squad game at Charlton.

Hyypia said: "Normally I would want the player to play one game or part of the game in the ds before he would be in our squad but Solly has showed in training he is very hungry and sharp at the moment."