BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe could be set to join the loan race for West Brom’s highly-rated defender Craig Dawson.

It is understood that the Rochdale-born centre-back will be made available by Baggies boss Roy Hodgson later this summer, although only on a temporary basis.

Last year, Howe’s predecessor Brian Laws pursued Dawson in the transfer market before the 6ft 2ins stopper joined West Brom from Rochdale, and was then subsequently loaned back to the Spotland club for the rest of the season.

And now the Clarets boss may give serious thought over the 21-year-old as he looks to add key personnel to his squad ahead of next season’s Championship title challenge.

Dawson demonstrated his ability at League One level, becoming Rochdale’s second top scorer last season with 11 goals, and helping guide the promoted club to within a whisker of the play-offs.

At the end of the campaign, Hodgson spoke of his desire to give the defender more opportunities at The Hawthorns next season rather than send him out on loan again.

But sources in the West Midlands have indicated that fierce competition for places will likely see Dawson on the fringe of the first-team picture.

A more likely scenario is that the former non-league ace will be sent to the Championship, certainly for the first half of the campaign, after returning from Albion’s summer tour of California.

That is expected to result in a chase for his signature, and Dawson’s north west roots would certainly give Burnley an edge.

Barnsley could prove a potential rival, with newly-appointed manager Keith Hill proving a significant figure behind Dawson’s rise from relative obscurity to England’s top-flight.

Back in February 2009, it was Hill, then the Rochdale boss, who plucked the young defender from Evo-Stik League Premeir Division neighbours Radcliffe Borough.

Dawson played a key role in securing Rochdale automatic promotion to League One in 2009/10, contributing 11 goals and 10 clean sheets in 46 league and cup games.