Craig Dawson hoping to fill the void in West Brom defence left by Jonas Olsson

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Jonas Olsson left West Bromwich Albion recently, leaving Tony Pulis surely looking for further reinforcements.

Sunderland’s Duncan Watmore in action with West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson

Craig Dawson has suggested that despite excelling at right-back, he would love the chance to establish himself playing in the centre of the West Brom defence once again, the Express and Star reports.

While Jonas Olsson was more of a peripheral figure for the Baggies this season behind Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley in the pecking order – the 34-year-old made just seven Premier League appearances this term – his recent departure has left Tony Pulis needing to reassess his options at the heart of the defence.

And Dawson has suggested that he wants to be the man to fill the void left following the Swede’s departure.

“At the moment I’m doing a job for the team at right back,” he said, as reported by the Express and Star. “It’s been a great learning curve and I’ve learned on the job. I’ve enjoyed playing so many games and learning from those experiences.

West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson in action with West Ham United’s Michail Antonio

“But it’s my more natural position being inside and hopefully I can get a good run in the team at centre-half.

“That’s the aim, to move back inside. I had a little run in the side (at centre-back) and we had some good results. That’s the plan for me.”

West Brom manager Tony Pulis

Dawson has been excellent this season, and that may perhaps present Pulis with a problem to contend with. The 26-year-old has been the player that the Baggies have deployed most often on the right-hand side of the back four, and he has done the job extremely well.

And while Pulis may have a reshuffle of his options lined up in case it is required, he may decide that keeping Dawson exactly where he is, especially for the duration of this season, may be a smart idea before he gets the chance to go out and strengthen his options during the summer transfer window.