Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has revealed that he would like to bring ex-West Ham midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger back to the club.
Hitzlsperger joined Villa's academy in 2000, making over appearances for the club before his departure to VfB Stuttgart in 2005.
He then returned to the Premier League with West Ham last summer, before becoming a free agent after the Hammers' relegation.
And, following the departure of Ashley Young and Stuart Downing, McLeish feels that his new side need more experience in midfield.
Therefore, the Germany international could be the man to provide it, after admitting that they are in need of a player with such knowledge of top-flight football.
"Thomas' name has been mentioned against a number of other players," he said.
"If it came to a choice, we'd have to think about everything if we were able to get that choice.
"Maybe in midfield, in terms of experience, we are a little bit lacking."
However, the former Birmingham manager has warned that he and chairman Randy Lerner have still got to work out which players to offload from the wage bill before they can consider a signing of the 29-year-old's calibre.