Albion coach Charlie Oatway has cast doubt over the chances of Norwich striker Simeon Jackson being signed before today's 5pm loan deadline.


  Oatway has admitted Jackson is a target but has warned it will be difficult to persuade the Canaries, still looking over their shoulders in the Premier League, to let him go.


  Oatway, standing in for manager Gus Poyet at this morning's pre-match press conference at The Amex, told The Argus: "If we can get him that would be fantastic.


  "But you have got to bear in mind that it's difficult to get these players away from their clubs when their clubs are thinking 'Can we afford to let him go', because they have got to worry about themselves.


  "You've just got to hope. He is one of the names we would certainly look at. If we get him or not, well that's a different matter."


  A Norwich source revealed to The Argus yesterday that a deal for Canadian international Jackson was "very likely".


  Oatway said: "I think that is being a bit too optimistic but I am not involved in the dealings in this case. There are people who will know a bit more about how far we are down the line with that but I think that is going to be a very tough one.


  "I hope that (very likely to happen) has come from the manager and chairman at Norwich but I can't see it. We'll have to wait and see but I think that one will be a really tough nut to crack."