WEST Brom manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed his interest in signing Ipswich Town defender Gareth McAuley.

The Northern Ireland defender joined skipper David Norris in turning down a new contract at Portman Road – with manager Paul Jewell admitting there had been Premier League interest in McAuley.

West Brom had been linked with a move and Hodgson has finally declared his interest in the former Town favourite as well as Manchester United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak.

Hodgson said: “They are players that fall into the West Brom category. If those players are available, they will certainly be players we discuss.

“At the moment all that type of talk is pure speculation. There will be a lot of that in the next few weeks.

“This is the time when agents are trying to move their players around and make them attractive to other clubs by supposedly having clubs who are interested in buying them.”

McAuley had been linked with Scottish title favourites Rangers as well and could well keep his options open until their football season concludes this weekend - and it becomes known whether they have secured Champions League football.