Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has had the former West Ham player watched on a number of occasions and is rumoured to be considering a bid for the centre half when the January transfer window opens on New Years Day.
With Scott Dann out for six weeks, City will be reluctant to let Ward leave and it may take a big cash bid for him to go to the Hawthorns, where he will be involved in a Premiership relegation dog-fight.