Bruno's back - but Gus faces battle to get a centre-back (From The Argus)

Bruno's back - but Gus faces battle to get a centre-back

9:00am Thursday 31st January 2013 in Sport By Brian Owen

Bruno is ready to hand Albion a timely defensive boost by making his comeback from injury at Sheffield Wednesday.

But boss Gus Poyet last night admitted it would be “difficult” to bring in a new centre-back before the transfer window closes.

Right-back Bruno has recovered from tendonitis and will start at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Poyet, however, has told The Argus his attempt to sign 21-year-old central defender Virgil van Dijk, right, from Dutch side Groningen “is over”.

He is assessing his options but concedes it will be tough to add a new defender before the transfer window closes at 11pm this evening.

The Albion boss said: “At the moment there’s nothing. It’s going to be very difficult.”

Poyet has had two bids knocked back by top-flight strugglers Groningen for Van Dijk, the second of them thought to be about £2 million.

The Seagulls are currently missing centre-backs Gordon Greer, who has a hamstring injury, and Lewis Dunk, who is involved in a court case.

Versatile defender Inigo Calderon moved across from right-back to fill in alongside Adam El-Abd for most of last Saturday’s FA Cup defeat by Arsenal.

He could do so again at Hillsborough.

Bruno missed all six games in January after his initial comeback from the Achilles problem, which first flared up in early December, back-fired.

The former Valencia defender has admitted her was not full fit when he rushed back into action at home to Watford ion December 29 but played through necessity with Calderon sidelined by a knee injury.

Bruno has not featured since then but Poyet expects the second comeback to be more successful.

He said: “Last time Bruno had only trained once or twice.

“This week he already trained on Saturday and Sunday with the second team and then from Tuesday with us so it is totally different.”

Poyet added: “It’s good he’s back - but he’s a right-back, not a centre-half!”

Seagulls defender Adam El-Abd will team up with Egypt providing he comes through the South Yorkshire trip unscathed.

The Pharaohs have a friendly against Chile in the Estadio Vicente Calderon, home of Atletico Madrid, on Wednesday.

Former Albion loanee Gonzalo Jara Reyes is in the Chile squad for the game.