Can I have a Sol and a Miller please barmaid, and one for yourself

Sol Campbell. A big name, a big personality and a big defender who, we're told, was too big for Meadow Lane.

If someone offered me £42k a week, I'd happily play for two days without rest on a cow field wearing flip flops, not least if Hooters is within a five minute walk.

What is clear, from my dealings with various folks, is that the nervous fidgeting has started at Albion. Put a question to them and the 'umm', 'ah' and 'well...' all begin. This is a sign. I was first alerted to this on Wednesday. Was there anything in Sol Campbell 'having a medical'? Several text messages, two phone calls and, later that evening, a few Facebook messages. So, naturally, I put it to Albion.

'No', I was told. Probably after much nervous umming and ahing.

Which, of course, is a 'no', in the same way, you or I, would say 'no, well, maybe..oh go on then, if you say so...'.

Actually, he probably hasn't had the medical yet - so the club get the benefit of my doubt on a technicality - but there is no doubt that Albion's pursuit of the 35-year-old is more advanced than they will ever tell us publicly. So much so, I've heard he's been to the training ground, met the mana...sorry, head coach and probably had time for a swift one down the Bell.

Will it happen? Well, that's assuming he gets special dispensation. If he does then there's a very good chance he will ONLY be granted a move to a non-Premier League club. That gives Albion a strong chance. Middlesbrough have signed St Ledger, Newcastle have signed Khizanishvili.

QPR, the most likely alternative given Sol's preference for the bright lights of that London, are being distracted by Flavio Briatore being investigated as to whether he's suitable to own a football club. (For non-F1 fans, the Italian told one of his drivers, Nelson Piquet, to risk his own life by crashing his car so Renault team-mate Fernando Alonso could gain an advantage from a safety car situation to win the race) You decide whether he's fit to run your football club? Interestingly, QPR's assistant is John Gorman, the ex-England and Spurs No2, who will know all about Campbell.

If Campbell doesn't get 'special dispensation' then will Notts County wish to loan him out?

We don't know.

One thing is certain - Albion will need to pay big money by their standards.Two millions pound would cover 12 months of the five-year deal he was on at Notts County. And, as you and I know, Jeremy Peace usually only 'tops up' in January. Unless this means that we'll be seeing a few leaving in the New Year. Barnett, Meite, Teixeira can't be long for this club surely? If Sol Campbell does join Albion then he'll almost certainly be coming on a much lower salary than those he gets at Notts County.

Only time will tell.

On another note, Ishmael Miller was full of enthusiasm down the training ground today. For someone who hasn't played for 10 months, he's looking lean and in good shape. He was happy and delighted to be active - for today he ran for the first time. Will he be ready for the mental and physical hurdles which await? He claims so. And, given that he's taller than me, I won't argue.

And, what's more, he's already set a date for his return. To find out when you'll have to check out Friday's Birmingham Mail. You may be pleasantly surprised...