Dean Kiely and Shrewsbury manager Paul Simpson considered the talents of West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans

Shrewsbury Town boss Paul Simpson has revealed he nearly signed West Brom winger Graham Dorrans last season.

The Glasgow-born midfielder has enjoyed a successful season with the Baggies, scoring 11 league goals to help them reach second place in the Championship.

"I had a couple of conversations with Tony Mowbray about him," Shrews manager Paul Simpson told BBC Midlands Late Kick Off.

"I think I was very close last January, February time."

Simpson added: "Unfortunately for me, and fortunately for Tony and West Brom, he got into the side.

"You can look at what he's doing now and see he has really taken off and is showing what a good footballer he is."

Dorrans joined the Baggies from Livingston in July 2008 for £100,000 and Shrewsbury looked at taking him on loan in January 2009.

But just weeks later he made his full Premier League debut against West Ham.

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