After four months of assessing his team’s strengths and weaknesses, Steve Bruce has a clearer picture of how he wants to improve the West Brom squad.

Albion are suitors for out-of-contract winger Jed Wallace, who has scored 26 goals across three seasons for Millwall in the Championship. They are also in for Leicester City’s Hamza Choudhury in midfield as Bruce looks to further strengthen the middle of the park after the addition of John Swift.

With “five or six” new signings targeted, several players have their futures in question, with Bruce needing to free up some cash to increase his wage budget.

Here, The Athletic runs through every member of the West Brom squad to outline which players fans can expect to stay and leave during what is expected to be a busy window…

After playing second fiddle to the now-departed Sam Johnstone for two seasons, Button is expected to assume the No 1 shirt for the foreseeable future. With spells at Fulham and Brighton over the past five years, Button has proven to be a reliable deputy when called upon as a solid and dependable shot-stopper. He is not the active distributor that Sam Johnstone is, and perhaps not as spectacular, but a solid pre-season should stand him in good stead for the upcoming campaign.

A local lad and academy graduate, Palmer is highly thought of within the Albion ranks. At 25 years old and with encouraging loan spells with Plymouth Argyle and Lincoln City under his belt, the Stourbridge native has designs of dislodging Button and taking the starting spot before long. He is expected to play a role in pre-season friendlies, and strong performances could sway Bruce’s mind, who has described the battle between him and Button as a “straight shootout”. He is not so much a No 2 at this stage, more of a 1b to Button’s 1a.

At 20 years old, the Hereford-born stopper is considered a prospect for the future. Griffiths is yet to make a senior appearance for the Baggies, but an encouraging spell on loan to League One Lincoln last season suggests it won’t be long until supporters see another goalkeeping talent breakthrough from the academy. As he is behind Button and Palmer in the pecking order, it would not be surprising to see him go out on loan again this season.

As the only recognised right-back in the squad, Furlong is expected to remain at the club, having penned a long-term contract extension last summer. Though former manager Valerien Ismael viewed him as a wing-back, Bruce believes his qualities are best suited as a right-back in a four. If the manager implements a back four as expected, Furlong has no experienced understudy in his position, so Albion may look to provide some competition in the summer transfer window.

Following an impressive pre-season ahead of last campaign, Ingram might have expected to have made his first-team debut by now. The right-back was considered in the same breath as Gardner-Hickman by Ismael and began the season competing with his fellow academy graduate as cover for Furlong. While a loan move is possible, another strong pre-season could persuade Bruce to keep him around as Furlong’s deputy.

Like Furlong, Townsend seems a sure bet to begin the upcoming season as Bruce’s starting left-back. Though he was a standout performer in the opening weeks of last season at wing-back, Bruce sees his talents more suited to being a traditional left-sided defender. With his contract expiring in three years and in his prime years at 29, he is seemingly Albion’s solution at left-back for the present and the short-term future.

With no clear cover for Townsend, Ashworth is currently the apparent alternative at left-back. Though Bruce is expected to explore the market for cover in his position, the 19-year-old Wales youth international may find himself as Townsend’s understudy if a suitable alternative is not found. Still, Ashworth will likely leave on loan if a backup left-back is signed.

Dara O’Shea – (contract expires 2023)

Tipped to be a future Albion captain by Bruce, O’Shea is one of the most promising players to graduate from the academy in recent years. With Matt Clarke not positioned to return, O’Shea will be handed a chance in central defence in 2022-23, the position where he sees his long-term future, having deputised at right-back under Slaven Bilic. With a year left on his current deal, Albion are understood to be in contract negotiations with USM, O’Shea’s representatives, though an agreement is not yet considered to be close. As a homegrown talent, all parties, including the fans, hope Albion can sort his future soon.

In and out of the team for the final few matches of last season, Albion are expected to consider offers for Bartley this summer. Though he is experienced in the Championship and has been a mainstay in the starting XI for much of his four-year stint in the West Midlands, Bartley is out of contract at the end of the upcoming campaign and one of five senior centre-backs at Bruce’s disposal. Though he will not be pushed out the door, the competition in his position and his contract situation suggests he could be one to leave.

Perhaps the player who has benefitted most from Ismael’s departure, Ajayi has found a new lease of life under Bruce. The towering centre-back’s prime qualities are in distribution and athleticism, with exceptional pace for a central defender, making him a valuable tool for a side using a high defensive line. Under Slaven Bilic, Ajayi was a significant part of the side which won promotion in 2019-20, and with three years remaining on his deal, Bruce will hope he can have a similar influence on this campaign.

While Ajayi arguably benefited most under Bruce, Kipre has dropped down the pecking order more than any other player since the manager’s arrival. With a need to offload talent, Kipre has been linked to Scottish Premiership side Rangers, who have kept close tabs on him since his promising spell at Motherwell. Owing to his desire to play and Bruce seemingly deeming him surplus to requirements, Kipre could move on this summer.

Initially signed as cover for one of the three centre-backs under Ismael, Bryan sticks out as a misfit if Bruce reverts to a back four. Neither a true centre-back nor an out-and-out central midfielder, Bryan finds himself between two roles within the Albion squad, though admittedly in positions where Bruce may need cover depending on exits. After returning from a season-ending cruciate ligament injury sustained in November 2021, the Manchester City academy graduate may require some time getting up to speed but could prove a useful squad player in a potential promotion tilt.

While Albion wanted the 18-year-old to have a season with the under-23s last year, Taylor could move on loan this year. After making his first-team debut on the final day, the son of former Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor may look to the lower leagues to gain more experience in senior football. However, an impressive pre-season could change the mind of Bruce, who is understood to be a big admirer.

A big presence in the dressing room and a well-liked figure among his teammates, Livermore is firmly positioned to remain at West Brom for the upcoming season. Though last year was a difficult one for him individually as Albion slumped as a collective, the introduction of Swift, who is expected to slot in as a No 10, should allow him to focus on winning the ball and breaking up the play as a defensively minded midfielder. Though Albion are heavily linked to Choudhury to provide competition in his position, Livermore will remain a crucial part of Bruce’s plans in the final year of his current contract.

As part of the three expected to fight it out for one of the slots behind Swift, signing Molumby following his loan spell from Brighton was a no-brainer. With three seasons of Championship football under his belt, the 22-year-old’s industry in midfield and experience, despite his young age, makes him a helpful squad member with the potential to grow.

Mowatt started last season on fire, scoring three of his four goals within his first 15 matches for the club. However, just as the effectiveness of Ismael’s methods began to wane, Mowatt’s performance levels dropped. With West Brom’s links to Choudhry in defensive midfield, Mowatt could soon find himself a partner who may offset his deficiencies, particularly in his limited mobility, to allow him to focus on dictating play from midfield.

With his future tied down until 2026, Gardner-Hickman is very much in Albion’s plans. Though not always the standout talent in his academy age group, Ismael spotted him during pre-season last year and promoted him to the first team, and he has not looked back. Across central midfield and right-wing back, the England Under-20 international made 19 Championship appearances last season, and will look to build on that in the coming year as a consistent first-team player. Now he is firmly in the club’s vision for the future, his next challenge is to establish his strongest position under Bruce, having featured in defence and midfield.

After signing a two-year deal following a successful trial last summer, Castro was highly-fancied by Ismael and spent pre-season with the first team. Undoubtedly talented, the Sporting Lisbon academy graduate has had limited exposure to senior football and could benefit from a loan move elsewhere. It is understood Bruce holds him in high regard and may decide to keep him around if he notices improvement in pre-season.

After being handed a contract extension by Ismael at the beginning of last season, Phillips was expected to provide cover across Albion’s attack, including as a No 9. Though he struggled to find his best form last term, Phillips is currently expected to remain at the club with two years remaining on his deal.

Picked up as a free agent in August 2021, Reach has proven to be an astute, if unspectacular, addition to Albion’s ranks. Though perhaps not a perfect fit in a front three, he is a capable deputy on either side and has proven himself useful in central midfield and left wing-back. While Albion would listen to offers for Reach, he is tied down to a two-year deal and is positioned to remain at The Hawthorns for the upcoming season.

Diangana’s immediate future lies with West Brom with a long-term contract under his belt. Though things have been far from plain sailing since signing on a permanent deal from West Ham in 2020, Diangana has previously proven his quality in a Baggies shirt, with Bruce describing him as “the best player in the league” in the 2019-20 campaign under Bilic. With Bruce planning to move on from Ismael’s style, the former England Under-21 international may find himself in the similar areas as he did under Bilic to rekindle the flame that once shone so brightly.

Handed a new deal in 2020, Tulloch has been unable to force his way into the first-team picture despite a promising pre-season last year. The 21-year-old forward has since only racked up 11 minutes of first-team football and is likely to move on loan.

His previous loan move to Doncaster Rovers in 2020 was cut short by a serious hamstring injury in his second match, meaning he is yet to have a sustained run in senior football. With stiff competition on the wing, the highly-rated wide player would benefit from an entire season with a Championship or League One club before returning at the end of the campaign to fight for his place at The Hawthorns.

Tipped to be the solution to Albion’s creative issues in midfield, Swift joins the club with the reputation as one of the division’s premier playmakers. Bruce held off significant interest from elsewhere to sign the Chelsea academy graduate to a three-year contract, and at 26, he is positioned to play his prime years at The Hawthorns.

Despite an electric start, Robinson struggled for large patches last season and could be moved on to make way for reinforcements. The Republic of Ireland international is undoubtedly talented and proven in the Championship but is behind Dike as a central striker and Grant as a left-winger, and may find consistent opportunities challenging to come by. While Bruce may decide to keep him as cover, given he has three years remaining on his existing contract, Albion are expected to listen to offers for his services.

Though Bruce has expressed his appreciation for Zohore previously, it is no surprise that Albion will listen to offers for the 28-year-old. Since signing for the club from Cardiff City in 2019, Zohore has failed to deliver on his sizeable £8 million transfer fee, making only 18 league appearances across two full seasons. With a year left on his contract, the former Denmark Under-21 international may decide that a move where he is expected to be a regular starter would benefit his long-term future.

With two injuries since signing from Orlando City in January, Albion fans are yet to see the best of Dike. Despite being Ismael’s signing, Dike will start next season under Bruce as his undisputed first-choice option at the point of the attack. With hopes of representing the United States at the winter World Cup in Qatar, the 22-year-old will be hungry and motivated to solve Albion’s issues at the centre-forward position.

As Albion’s top goalscorer last season with 18 Championship goals, Grant is a crucial part of Bruce’s plans for promotion. Though he has occasionally played in the middle since signing from Huddersfield Town in 2020, Grant’s best position is undoubtedly from the left of a three-forward attack. There are hopes that Dike will free up some space for the £18 million man to continue his impressive goalscoring form.

(Photo: Adam Fradgley/West Bromwich Albion FC via Getty Images)