West Bromwich Albion will face competition from Premiership side Charlton Athletic in their bid to bring Jason Roberts back to The Hawthorns.

Charlton manager Iain Dowie is expected to make a £1.8 million bid for the striker, who will leave Wigan Athletic this summer, thereby throwing doubt over Albion's plans of buying him for £300,000 less.

Dowie has already lost four attackers since the end of the season - Jay Bothroyd, Francis Jeffers, Shaun Bartlett and Jonatan Johansson have all left The Valley - and, having identified Roberts as his target, the former Northern Ireland international will be determined to get his man.

That will spell trouble for Albion, whose own resources up front could be stretched if Kanu or Nathan Ellington leave the club and who may struggle to meet the player's weekly wage demands of £25,000.

Albion are expecting another approach from Watford for left-back Paul Robinson following their promotion to the top flight.

Manager Bryan Robson has already rejected two offers for the 27-year-old but the Hornets are likely to come back with a third, increased bid.