GARY Megson is considering a £3million raid on Aston Villa for defender Zat Knight.

The Wanderers boss wants one more centre half in his ranks to provide competition for Gary Cahill, Andy O’Brien and Danny Shittu and is hoping to cash in on the England international’s uncertain position at Villa Park to bring him to the fold.

Knight has failed to secure regular first team football under Martin O’Neill since his £3.5m move from Fulham two years ago — ironically a signing that pushed Gary Cahill closer to the exit door in the Midlands.

Villa are said to be in the market for Portsmouth’s Sylvain Distin and Middlesbrough’s David Wheater, and if O’Neill is successful with an approach for either player, that would give Megson the incentive to make his move.

The 29-year-old is understood to be a good friend of Wanderers’ new recruit Sean Davis, which could provide extra encouragement if an effort was made to bring him to the Reebok.

Wolves have already enquired about signing Knight this summer, although they were given no indication that he would be for sale.

Any move made by Wanderers would almost certainly have to wait until O’Neill made at least one more defensive signing, given that the club have already lost skipper Martin Laursen, who retired recently because of injury.

Megson is expected to boost his defensive ranks early this week, with the £750,000 deal for West Brom’s Paul Robinson nearing completion.

Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace has indicated that the club are ready to sell the 30-year-old full-back, who has spoken of his desire to leave the Hawthorns.

Robinson is expected to become Megson’s second summer signing in the next few days, despite some reports linking him with a move to Celtic to join his former West Brom manager Tony Mowbray.