West Bromwich Albion's interest in Troy Deeney, which has gone on for much of January and led to a rebuffed £16 million in recent days, has been thrown into doubt by a left-field move for Liverpool sicknote Daniel Sturridge.

Anfield bosses have given Sturridge the green light to look for a loan move away from the club, given he has started only 12 league games since the beginning of last season.

That permission to leave was only confirmed in the past 48 hours, however, and Newcastle had initially been firm favourites to land the England striker.

But since then, the Baggies have leapt in and Sturridge is reportedly undergoing a medical in the West Midlands - meaning a deal for Deeney, who Watford were contemplating selling after seven and a half years, would almost certainly be off the table.

Manager Alan Pardew already has Solomon Rondon, Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robson-Kanu on the books, but is keen to add a fourth option to his strikeforce before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday night.