Everton defender Mason Holgate joins West Brom on loan

“First and foremost he is a good, good player. He is quick, agile, athletic, comfortable on the ball. He’s a young, up-and-coming player with a big future. But he already has good Premier League experience including playing in a Merseyside derby and that is a real furnace to handle.

“He will compete for the right-back and central defensive positions. His enthusiasm to come also impressed me – he wants to play and I believe he is going to be a good addition for us.”

Holgate’s transfer will be formally activated on New Year’s Day. He will be unavailable for the Sky Bet Championship match at Blackburn that day, and could make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Wigan at The Hawthorns.

Meanwhile, Jay Rodriguez is free to play against Blackburn after having his suspension withdrawn.

The Baggies were successful in a wrongful dismissal claim after the striker was sent-off in the 63rd minute of the 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday for an incident with Marco Matias.

It was interpreted as a stamp but replays suggested he was trying to jump over his opponent.

The Football Association said in a statement: “West Bromwich Albion’s Jay Rodriguez has had his suspension withdrawn with immediate effect after an independent regulatory commission upheld a claim of wrongful dismissal.”

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