Albion are trying to beg, borrow and deal their way back to the First Division.

Investing in the loan market will be as important to Mark McGhee as it was to Steve Coppell during his year in charge.

McGhee's first signings last week were hired from Premiership clubs.

Teenager Mark Yeates has been snapped up for a month from Spurs, Zesh Rehman has been brought back from Fulham on the same basis.

The loan regulations give McGhee scope for plenty more borrowing.

Rehman's loan period with Albion counts twice because it has not been continuous. He was recalled by Fulham at the end of his first month due to an injury crisis.

That increases the number of loans used by the Seagulls so far this season to five after Coppell borrowed Ross Flitney, also from Fulham, and Darius Henderson from Reading.

It would have been six, but Leon Knight's stint from Chelsea is discounted since he was subsequently signed permanently.

As things stand, McGhee can still make up to three more short-term loan signings this season. He also has four long-term loans at his disposal until the end of the calendar year.

The loan system was more restrictive two seasons ago when Peter Taylor borrowed Junior Lewis from Leicester to help steer Albion to the Second Division title.

The rules were relaxed following the collapse of ITV Digital which left so many clubs facing financial ruin.

McGhee is relieved about that. There is no money in his budget for transfer fees, but competition in the loan market is intense.

"Clubs will help you, but they only help you when it suits them," McGhee said.

"It suits Tottenham to have the lad Yeates here to get experience.

"It helps us and we are grateful to them for that, but it's not as simple as making phone calls to your mates and them sending down bus loads of players.

"It is a difficult job. Everybody is doing the same thing. Every single manager below the Premier League is making phone calls every week for players on loan.

"I've spoken to the likes of Chris Turner (Sheffield Wednesday) and they are doing the exact same thing as us, making the same phone calls to the same clubs for the same players, so it's not easy.

"It's particularly goalscorers but other positions as well. Chris Turner named three positions which we also feel we are light on."

Yeates made his debut in Albion's 4-1 defeat by Bristol City at Withdean last Saturday.

It was a tough baptism for the 18-year-old Republic of Ireland prospect and Guy Butters has urged fans to show a bit of patience with him.

Albion's experienced centre half, who began his career at Spurs, said: "When you are at Tottenham they work on a lot of things when you are an apprentice.

"They get the pick of the youngsters really around that area.

"I know they have got to compete with Arsenal and other clubs, but they have got scouts who get people from all over the place.

"If somebody comes from Totteham you can guarantee they know what they are doing technique-wise.

"When you bring new faces in you have only got a short time to blend them into the team. Every one wants results straight away, but ideally you want the fans to be patient.

"I've been on loan myself at clubs and it takes you a while to settle in. Zesh was quite fortunate. He scored on his debut and that takes a lot of pressure off you.

"On the other hand, as I should know when I first came here, if you don't get off to a flying start it's difficult but it should work well.

"Mark wants to come here and impress his bosses at Tottenham and we want him to come here and do well for us. Hopefully it will be a blend of the two."

Yeates performed much better in the second half against Bristol City once McGhee had switched him from the left to the centre of midfield by substituting Rehman.

McGhee has no qualms about giving the youngster that kind of responsibility.

"I brought him here because I know he has the character and personality to carry that off," he said.

"He has got lots of self-confidence. I've got no fear for him in that respect."

Yeates and Rehman are with Albion until the visit of Brian Horton's Port Vale on December 12, although McGhee would like to keep them both for longer.