Albion set for January sales; Forward is the priority for new year says boss: Baggies closing in on targets.

Byline: Chris Lepkowski

ROBERTO Di Matteo today looked ahead to the January transfer window and admitted: "I know what I want."

The Albion head coach (pictured) is generally pleased with his squad but keen to bring in at least one or two new faces.

A striker is certainly on the agenda, along with a centre-half.

Leon Best has been watched by Baggies scouts and was checked by Di Matteo in Coventry's recent game against Derby.

Romanian centre-half Gabriel Tamas also remains a potential target. Other names mentioned include Kris Boyd of Rangers and Celtic's Gary Caldwell, who are both out of contract at the end of this season.

But reports in Turkey that Darius Vassell was being monitored seem far-fetched.

Di Matteo did not comment specifically about any players.

But he revealed that the scouting process was continuing, although it looks increasingly unlikely anyone will be arriving before next Thursday's loan deadline.

"We are always looking at players but for whatever reason we haven't been able to bring players in so we keep looking," Di Matteo told the Birmingham Mail. "Nothing has been lined up. "I've known since last summer what I want. "For many reasons it's not always possible but we are always trying to do things." Di Matteo has, just once, been able to pick an unchanged side this season. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he strives for a settled starting XI whenever possible .

"We're still not settled as a team," he continued. "I think it's only once we've played the same team two games in a row because of injuries or new players coming in. "You would like to start five, six, seven, eight games with the same teamormaybe just one change. "If the players are fit, you want a settled side. "Youmight change a player for tactical reasons. "By giving the players chance to play week in, week out, they should be able to get better. "And after a while you get to know what the other players around you are doing and he knowswhat you're doing," he said. "If you change all the time and it's a different player - you don't know."

CAPTION(S):

Interest: Kris Boyd. Watched: Striker Leon Best .