West Brom manager Steve Clarke is hoping to persuade his former club Liverpool to allow defender Sebastian Coates to move to the Hawthornes on loan for the rest of the season.

The Uruguay international has been struggling to force his way into the first team under new manager Brendan Rodgers, who has even suggested that the defender will be allowed to go out on loan if reinforcements arrive in January.

Sebastian Coates
Sebastian Coates is wanted by West Brom manager Steve Clarke [Reuters]

Liverpool have thus far been unable to strengthen their defence but it seems former Reds assistant manager Clarke is hopeful that he will be able to land the defender during the current transfer window.

The Daily Mirror believes that West Brom will attempt to convince Liverpool to part with the defender in the next 48 hours on a provisional loan deal which could lead to a permanent move at the end of the season.

Coates was signed by Kenny Dalglish and worked with Clarke last season but has been unable to force his way into the side in the Premier League since playing 90 minutes against Manchester City in August, playing just 49 minutes since that game.

He has been used in the Europa League and in the Capital One Cup but there seems little chance of him forcing his way into the plans of Rodgers in the league.

Clarke is desperate to being another centre-back to the club, but he is aware that there is still interest from struggling QPR who have already had one offer for the defender rejected.

Coates, 22, could be the answer and Clarke will be well aware of his talent having worked with the defender for the best part of a year.

Despite struggling to get in the Liverpool side he has already played nine times for Uruguay and was a member of the Olympic side that played in London this summer.