MX23RW : Monday, November 25 01:33:28| >> :120:16202:16202:

West Brom complete loan signing of Celta's Okay Yokuslu

The Baggies are also close to bringing in Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan.

West Brom have completed the deadline day loan signing of Okay Yokuslu from Celta Vigo and are closing in on Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The midfielder, 26, has joined for the rest of the season to aid the Baggies' battle against the drop.

They are 19th in the Premier League ahead of Tuesday's trip to rock-bottom Sheffield United.

Yokuslu's arrival follows those of striker Mbaye Diagne, who moved on loan from Galatasaray last week, and Robert Snodgrass, while the Baggies have also agreed to take England international Maitland-Niles on loan for the rest of the season.

"As a manager I would have liked them in quicker. Would it have made a difference? Who knows," said boss Sam Allardyce.

"The important thing is that we get them in the end because there are 17 games to go and hopefully points and wins will come more often than defeats – that will be the key element.

"His (Yokuslu's) strengths will help us. The only question to be worried about is, 'Can he do it straight away?'

"It's not the quality or ability of the players – it's about, 'Can he cope with the Premier League from the start?'

"We hope he can because we haven't got the time. There is a possibility that it won't happen but we have to take that chance with the quality of the player."

Turkey international Yokuslu is unlikely to feature at Bramall Lane, with Allardyce expected to name him on the bench for Sunday's trip to Tottenham.

He added: "It's unlikely I'll throw him straight into the mix. I've tried that once before and the player didn't cope. We don't want the whole of the outside world throwing criticism at him."

Former Leicester forward Ahmed Musa is also to arrive for a trial, delayed due to coronavirus protocols.

The Baggies are now nine points from safety after Brighton's 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday and Allardyce knows they must start winning ahead of Tuesday's trip to South Yorkshire.

"We're desperate to get three points at Sheffield United," he said. "We are both in the worst positions we can be in, so we have to go out and perform, be better than Sheffield United and take our chances when they arrive.

"Two points out of the two games against two teams around our area is not good enough to get us out of the problem we have.

"We had a great chance to win against Fulham, it's our fault we didn't win. All the lads had to do was defend properly.

"The battling qualities of the team encouraged me and the qualities they showed in the second half encouraged me.

"That fight and desire has to last for 90 minutes, not just 45.

"Historically 38 points has been enough (to stay up) and I think it'll be enough this year. Sooner or later we have to be the ones doing the winning when the others are losing."

ID:433243: cacheID:433243:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4489:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles celebrates winning a penalty shootout against Liverpool in the EFL Cup in October 2020
Read Next:
Deadline Day: Five of the best deals done so far
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!