Roberts in tug of war

West Brom and Aston Villa are both keen on Marc Roberts.

According to a report in the Birmingham Mail both Midlands side are keen on the Barnsley defender.

Villa would appear to be favourites with Conor Hourihane and James Bree signed from Barnsley in January but the lure of the Premier League may prove irresistible to the 26-year-old.

Tony Pulis is looking to bring in cover and competition to Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley with Roberts making a big impression as Barnsley stepped up with ease to the Championship.

Barnsley would rather hang on to the defender but as they proved with Hourihane and Bree there is a realism about selling players when the price is right.

Steve Bruce is looking to mount a promotion bid based around players who know their way around the Championship with Roberts fitting the bill as he demonstrated in 43 appearances in the season just ended.