Romaine Sawyers could become one of the first names on Steve Bruce's team-sheet at West Brom next season, according to Midlands journalist Josh Holland.

The midfielder is currently on loan at Stoke, but he is expected to return to the Hawthorns once his loan deal ends at the end of the season.

What's the latest news involving Sawyers?

Having failed to feature in the first few games under Valerien Ismael and therefore clearly not in his plans, Sawyers made the loan switch to the Potteries to enhance his game-time.

And it's generally been a successful campaign for the 30-year-old, who was once described as 'unbelievable' by ex-Baggies caretaker James Shan.

Sawyers did miss more than three months with a muscle tear, but he's played more than 25 times in all competitions for Stoke, chipping in with three goals and four assists.

Despite being overlooked by Ismael, Holland believes that the arrival of Bruce could hand Sawyers' West Brom career a lifeline, with the journalist suggesting that he could even go straight into the starting XI under the Baggies manager.

What did Holland say about Sawyers?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "I think if Bruce was in charge, Sawyers wouldn't have been loaned out and he would have been in Bruce's XI even today, so I think if he has a good pre-season and impresses, I don't see any reason why he can't be one of the first names on the West Brom team-sheet next season."

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Does Sawyers have a future at West Brom?

Sawyers' contract at the Hawthorns expires in June, so it's set to be an anxious few months for the midfielder, regardless of how highly Bruce rates him.

However, according to The Athletic, West Brom have an option to extend his stay in the Midlands and believe that Bruce rates him highly having watched him closely during his time at Stoke.

Bruce said: "He made a difference when he came on last weekend when I watched Stoke against Sheffield United. Then he scored in midweek against Reading. He's a good footballer.

"It's all about decisions and other managers have different ways, but I've always liked him as a player. He's in our thoughts [for next season]."

Sawyers has proven himself at Championship level for both Brentford and the Baggies, and with 43 goals and many more assists during his career, he's the type of player that could make the difference for Bruce next season as he looks to add to his 64 appearances for the club.