TONY Mowbray insists he is not necessarily searching for a like-for-like replacement for Zoltan Gera - but is looking to strengthen his midfield options.

The out-of-contract Hungary ace, who scored ten goals in Albion's promotion success, joined Fulham last month.

But the Baggies boss is not panicking about losing him because of the faith he has in his current men in the middle - Jonathan Greening, Robert Koren, James Morrison, Chris Brunt, Do-Heon Kim and Filipe Teixeira.

"It doesn't have to be the same type of player as Zoltan playing out wide," said Mowbray.

"That player might be at the football club already.

"Morrison might play there.

"To be fair, Zoltan didn't play there week in, week out.

"We have got footballers and other players in mind who can come in and allow me to utilise the squad.

"For example, Greening, Koren, Morrison, Kim, Brunt and Teixeira can play wide.

"If the right wide player comes along then fine.

"I just want to add quality to the squad to give us options really.

"Koren, Greening and Morrison can play in the middle and I think we will continue to use them all in different positions.

"It's a different league and there are going to have to be days when we need energetic, competitive players in wide areas to stop the threat of attack-minded players in the opposition.

"I'd just like to give myself options in that area and I think we do need to strengthen the midfield area.

"The numbers in that area are still a little bit light for my liking.

"And hopefully we can improve the midfield area in numbers and quality.

"We hope to improve all areas of the team."

The Albion chief also believes Gera's departure leaves room for someone else to make themselves a fans' favourite.

"I'd like to think I had a great working relationship with Zoltan," Mowbray added.

"He's a lovely man and was a good football player for us - good luck to him.

"But football clubs evolve.

"I was looking at a photo of the squad from when I arrived and there is over 20-odd players who have left from that picture.

"The team evolves and football by its nature evolves.

"Zoltan's gone and we have to try and bring someone else in who the supporters think 'wow, we like him!'

"Then Zoltan goes from their minds and the next one comes along.

"It's the supporters who remain constant and the team keeps moving on." 

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