FA in battle to recruit West Brom's Dan Ashworth before the summer Ashworth's appointment as the FA's director of elite development was confirmed on Monday and the ruling body wants to strike a deal with West Brom that ensures he leaves his contract at the Hawthorns prematurely. Jeremy Peace, the West Brom chairman, has told Ashworth to serve his notice period and stay until the end of the season. But the FA wants Ashworth in place sooner and will attempt to convince Peace into allowing the 41 year-old to leave in February. Ashworth's swift appointment is seen as vital to the success of the new £100million national centre in Burton-upon-Trent, where he will be charged with overseeing the future of English football. He said: "Working within the national set-up has always been a lifelong ambition. An FA statement on its official website said that Ashworth's start date has yet to be confirmed and that negotiations will continue over an earlier release. Ashworth, who earns about £200,000 a year at West Brom, stands to at least triple his salary with the FA. He is the second significant departure from the club this year, after Roy Hodgson departed for the England national team, but Peace - renowned for being a tough negotiator - will not allow Ashworth to leave without a fight. Peace said: "We have had discussions with Dan in an effort to persuade him to stay but the opportunity to work within the national set-up is an ambition he has held for a long time. He has reassured me he will continue to give his West Bromwich Albion duties his undivided attention. Dan still has an important role to play this season and he and his staff have already begun planning for the January transfer window.