As reported by The Daily Mirror, West Brom are lining up a January transfer move for Southampton's Shane Long.

What's the story?

West Bromwich Albion are looking for more firepower in their attack to secure a top half finish in the Premier League this season and may be returning to a well known face to provide it.

The Mirror reports that Tony Pulis is interested in bringing former Baggies striker Shane Long back to the Hawthornes this January, just two years after the Irishman left the club for Hull City.

Long subsequently joined Southampton in the summer of 2014 where he's been for the previous two and a half seasons.

Albion face a fight to land their man with West Ham also interested in his services and Claude Puel keen to hold on to him due to a lack of attacking options, according to the paper.

Still got it?

Apart from one season in the Championship, Long has never been a prolific striker and has plenty to his game that's a benefit to the wider team.

However, he must be disappointed to have scored just one goal this season, struggling to find his way to a regular start under Claude Puel at Southampton. It did come against the Baggies on Boxing Day though, so West Brom fans will be well aware he still has the ability to find the net.

He had his best Premier League season ever in 2015/16, scoring 13 goals in all competitions and reaching double figures in league action. That shows he still has what it takes to be an effective presence for Tony Pulis. The most he ever scored for the Baggies in a season was 11, but was still a vital member of the side.

A return to Birmingham would at least see him play regularly and that could be enough to tempt him back to the Hawthornes.