The Hatters, who are second in League One, are searching for a new manager after Nathan Jones left for Stoke City earlier this month.

Darren Moore’s No.2 has already turned down an initial approach from Luton, but the managerless club reportedly returned with another one over the weekend.

The League One side are also looking at former Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom, who may be easier to appoint because he’s currently out of work.

Jones told the Express & Star when he joined Albion in August he had a long-term desire to be a manager, and old friend Moore is the only man he’d be an assistant to now.

However, it’s believed he has serious reservations about leaving the Baggies less than six months after he arrived, midway through season while the club is pushing for promotion.

Moore waited all summer for Jones, his first choice for an assistant, who was appointed on the first day of August after helping Belgium finish third at the World Cup.

Jones is an experienced assistant who spent a decade working under Roberto Martinez before joining Moore’s backroom staff at The Hawthorns.

He has won the FA Cup at Wigan under Martinez, as well as taking Belgium to the semi-finals of Russia 2018.

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Five years Moore’s senior, he has been a crucial member of the coaching staff this season.

Jones works closely with the attacking players at the club and the Baggies are the highest scoring side in the Championship.

When Luton made initial contact earlier this month, Moore confirmed Jones was happy at The Hawthorns.

“He is very happy here,” said Moore. “We have a wonderful project here that we have been getting our teeth stuck into along with the rest of the staff.

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“We have unfinished business. It’s pleasing for everyone he wants to stay on and continue his work.”

Luton, who are currently under the charge of caretaker boss Mick Harford, had planning permission for a new 17,500-seater stadium approved over the weekend.

Elsewhere, Albion’s Oliver Burke made his debut for loan club Celtic on Saturday, and played up front for the Scottish giants.

And Baggies youngster Callum Morton scored a hat-trick in the National League for loan club Braintree on his 19th birthday.