McCarthy is leaving Ipswich Town at the end of this season after almost six years and is searching for a new club.

The Baggies have begun the hunt for Alan Pardew’s replacement but will not make an appointment until the summer with Darren Moore in temporary charge until then.

The former Ireland boss, who spent six years at Wolves, would be keen to return to the Black Country and is open to an approach from his former rivals.

However, Albion are concerned about how his history with Wolves would go down with their supporters, and are looking for a fresher face to spearhead their summer rebuild. The board are determined to interview several candidates over the coming weeks.

Leicester assistant boss and former Albion coach Michael Appleton is being seriously considered, as is Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes and former Walsall manager Dean Smith.

Smith has recently moved down to Brentford from the West Midlands, but still has family in the Streetly area. His Championship experience and reputation for playing an attractive brand of football has put him among the early front-runners.

Former Albion captain McInnes still looks back on his time at The Hawthorns fondly, but is not keen to discuss speculation over his future. His time at Aberdeen has been dogged by constant suggestions he is going to leave for Rangers, Sunderland, or Albion.

“I’ve had enough of this over my time here, over being linked, and it’s an easy link to make and assume,” said McInnes.

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“It’s only a rumour and I’m not going to spend the next six or seven weeks of the season talking about speculation.

“My job is here at Aberdeen and we’ve got a lot to look forward to.”

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder was on Albion’s radar last year but it would be difficult to tempt him away from the club he supports.

“This is my football club, as everybody knows,” said Wilder, when the vacant Albion job was put to him. “I just want to keep getting results here, keep doing well and keep improving us here.”