Baggies head coach Roberto Di Matteo has confirmed his interest in Carew who has slipped down the pecking order at Villa. The two clubs were understood to be close to agreeing a deal for the Norway international.
Any potential move could now be temporarily delayed as Villa striker Emile Heskey has to serve a three-game ban for his red card against Sunderland in midweek.
But former England left-back Shorey knows all about the qualities of Carew from his own spell at Villa Park.
He told Press Association Sport: "John on his day is tough to mark. He is a really good player and a really nice bloke as well so he would fit in well. I wouldn't like to mark him. On his day no-one in the Premier League would want to mark him so that says it all.
"He can score goals with his head and his feet as he has proven over the years. He has had a few injuries but if he can go somewhere and get games, I am sure he will get goals. He is a laid-back character but there is nothing wrong with that at times."
Source: PA
Source: PA