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HARGREAVES OFFERED BAGGIES DEAL

12th August 2011

Roy Hodgson has left Owen Hargreaves to decide on whether he wants to accept West Brom's offer to join the club.

Hargreaves is a free agent after being released by Manchester United at the end of last season following an injury-plagued stint at Old Trafford.

He is desperate to play again at the highest level and moved to demonstrate his fitness by releasing videos of himself in training at the start of the summer having worked hard to overcome his knee problems with renowned physiotherapist Alex McKechnie.

The England international has held talks regarding a move to The Hawthorns as he looks to resurrect his career, and Hodgson has left the ball in his court.

The Baggies are convinced of his fitness to such an extent that an offer has been made, but manager Hodgson does not know whether joining his squad appeals to a player who may have other options to consider.

Hodgson said: "When I left at 6pm on Tuesday, Owen was just about to leave at the same time.

"And we made it clear: 'Look, we've done the test, we agree with you, and your man Alex, that the knee's okay and you can play football. And of course if you'd like to come and play for us that would be lovely.'

"But whether or not our offer is going to be interesting to him, that's what I don't know.

"He was looked at by our doctor, Mark Gillett, who was at Chelsea, who's quite an eminent person in his field.

"And we had all the test results that he of course brought with him as well. And we spoke to his man, Alex McKechnie, who had been rehabilitating him for the last year.

"He didn't go through a stringent medical, but he was looked at by someone who should know what he's talking about."

Hodgson sensed no bitterness from Hargreaves about his exit from Old Trafford following four years with the Red Devils.

"No, he was very sanguine about the whole affair, and I think he just wants to play football again," said Hodgson, whose side face Manchester United in their opening game of the season on Sunday.

"He was bitterly disappointed the way he had to leave English football, but he didn't speak badly about anybody.

"He was just more concerned, I think, to convince us, or maybe he's trying to convince other teams, that 'Listen, I'm a fit player, you can use me'."

West Brom's technical director Dan Ashworth has tabled an offer to Hargreaves.

"I know Dan has e-mailed a proposal to Owen, but I don't know what the proposal is," Hodgson said.

source: http://www.sportinglife.com

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