Albion: Steele can stay at Oakwell March 12 2008
West Brom have paved the way for goalkeeper Luke Steele to fulfil his Wembley FA Cup dream with giant-killers Barnsley.
Steele is on loan at Oakwell from the Hawthorns and has helped Simon Davey's side eliminate Liverpool and Chelsea on their way to a semi-final meeting with Cardiff on April 6.
His initial one-month deal expires this Friday but Albion, who will face Portsmouth in the other semi-final, are happy to allow the 23-year-old to remain at the Yorkshire club - with a couple of provisos.
The midlands outfit have been subsidising Steele's wages during his first month with their Championship rivals because of the Tykes' financial situation.
Given the lucrative rewards Barnsley have reaped from their cup run, the Baggies would now want them to pay Steele's wages in full should the loan be extended.
They would also be looking for the young keeper, who has 15 months left on his West Brom contract, to join on a permanent basis in the summer as part of the agreement and would be willing to grant him a free transfer.
Steele joined Tony Mowbray's side from Manchester United at the start of last season as part of the deal that also saw Paul McShane move to the Hawthorns.
But it is clear he has no long-term future at Albion and the current number one, Dean Kiely, recently signed a new contract.