Dawson wants to be the man in the middle at West Brom

The departure of Jonas Olsson has opened up a spot in central defence for West Brom and Craig Dawson thinks he is the man to fill the void.

Dawson has been a virtual ever-present at right back for the Baggies this campaign as they have surprised many players and pundits alike in their rise to eighth in the table.

Olsson last week returned to his native Sweden after a nine-year spell at the Hawthorns and while Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley are both staying there is room for another.

And Dawson has already told Pulis that he sees himself as the man to become central to the Baggies defence.

“We have spoken about it, but at the moment I’m doing a job for the team at right back,” said Dawson.

“It’s been a great learning curve and I’ve learned on the job. I’ve enjoyed playing so many games and learning from those experiences.

(Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)

“But it’s my more natural position being inside and hopefully I can get a good run in the team at centre-half.

“That’s the aim, to move back inside. I had a little run in the side (at centre-back) and we had some good results. That’s the plan for me.”