Albion could face an action replay if they want to bring back Joe Bennett.

But the race for his services is expected to start early after the Aston Villa player was promised a quick decision on his future.

Albion are kicking off their annual summer hunt for a left-back and Bennett could be up for grabs.

He has reported back for training at Villa, where he has a year left on his contract.

But boss Tim Sherwood has revealed he will tell the former Middlesbrough man – and other returning loan players such as ex-Seagulls midfielder Gary Gardner – whether they feature in his first-team plans in the next ten to 14 days.

Watford are believed to remain interested in his services, having also been keen to sign him on loan last summer.

They are now in a strong financial position following promotion as runners-up, as was the case with Burnley last year when they snapped up Stephen Ward from under Albion’s noses.

Sherwood promised to assess the returning loanees in training and said: “I think it helps them out, it helps the clubs out, it helps everyone out.

“They haven’t got to wait until pre-season for me to give them a decision.”

There is also Championship interest in Bennett.

The attack-minded 25-year-old was not an unqualified success at the Amex from the defensive viewpoint.

But he started all 41 league games for which he was available under three different managers.

Hughton was non-committal when asked after the season-ending draw at Middlesbrough whether he would look to bring back any of Albion’s loan players.

But he admitted he was impressed by Greg Halford at right-back when asked specifically about the Nottingham Forest man.