West Bromwich Albion midfielder Richard Chaplow has been linked with a return to his former club Burnley, manager Tony Mowbray has confirmed.

Mowbray said Burnley boss Owen Coyle had been in touch to inquire about the 22-year-old who joined Albion from the Clarets in January 2005 in a £1.5 million deal.

West Brom currently have a surplus of midfielders although Mowbray has always insisted all of his squad have a part to play in his plans this season in the push for promotion to the Premier League.

Mowbray said last night that the club would listen if the "right offer" was made for the former England Under-21 international.

Chaplow (right) spent a time last season on loan at Southampton and has been restricted to just one substitute appearance for Albion since starting in the club's Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Cardiff City at The Hawthorns four months ago.

He has since slipped down the Albion pecking order behind skipper Jonathan Greening, Robert Koren, new addition James Morrison, Zoltan Gera, Filipe Teixeria and £3 million signing Chris Brunt.

Mowbray said: "I have had a conversation with the Burnley manager but it appears that, at this moment, they are not in a position to make any progress on those discussions.

"Richard is a good lad and he gets on with his work. If I ask him to play in the team or in the reserves, he just gets on with it."

Mowbray added:" Obviously he has a frustration in him because at his age he wants to play. While he is not screaming and shouting 'get me out of here' from the rooftops, I understand, as he does, that if the right offer were to come in he would listen. If not, I am more than happy to have Richard as part of our squad.

"I am sure he would have a part to play as we move on."

The Albion boss has also hinted that defender Neil Clement may be allowed out on loan as he strives to get back to match fitness after a long term lay-off through injury.

The former Chelsea defender is back playing with the reserves after being out for 13 weeks and is now eager to get back playing first-team football again.

Mowbray said: "Neil is fit and someone who in an ideal world wants to play football again. He feels he is ready and he is probably correct.

"From my perspective, which Neil under-stands, it would have been a huge ask to stick him in at left-back at Charlton on Saturday after he has been out for so long.

"He feels as if he is ready to start playing again and if the right opportunity comes along for Neil to play somewhere on loan, I will listen to that. But the phone has got to ring and so we we will wait and see."

Albion face a trip to take on Hull City at the KC Stadium on Saturday in the day's 5.15pm kick-off.

Mowbray said: "It will be a tough game against a tough side. A late kick-off is not ideal especially when the players have to travel up the night before.

"They end up hanging around the hotel for hours waiting to get into the game. But I am not making excuses as it is the same for everyone when your match is affected."