ROBERTO Di Matteo has revealed Gabriel Tamas is one of several centre-halves he could turn to to help fill the breach left by African Nations Cup-bound Abdoulaye Meite.
Meite will link up with Ivory Coast for the Angola-based tournament, which runs from January 10 to 31, following Albion's Boxing Day clash with Peterborough (ko 3pm).
His departure will leave the Baggies boss with just three fit central defenders - Jonas Olsson, Shelton Martis and Gonzalo Jara.
And 26-year-old Romania international Tamas, who has scored three times in 44 appearances for his country, is on Albion's radar.
The 6ft2in centre-half has spent the last two seasons on loan at Dinamo Bucharest from French club Auxerre.
He was part of Romania's Euro 2008 squad and has also played for the likes of Galatasaray, Spartak Moscow and Celta Vigo.
"Abou is going to leave for the African Nations Cup after the Boxing Day game so we have been looking to bring in another central defender," said Di Matteo.
"We need cover there because we are light in that position.
"He is one of the options but there are a number of players we are talking to."
Di Matteo has also confirmed he is unlikely to recall Leon Barnett from his loan spell at Coventry.
"We probably won't bring him back," he said.
"I think he's happy where he is.
"He is playing week in, week out and I don't think he wants to come back and not play."
