Albion are poised to sign former England striker Darren Bent on loan from Aston Villa in the next 48 hours.

Bent is expected to join the Seagulls initially for 28 days with an option to extend the deal.

Villa's £24 million record buy will make his debut at the Amex on Saturday against Fulham, where he had a spell on loan last season.

Bent, 30, made a rare appearance under Paul Lambert as a substitute in Villa's 1-1 draw at home to Southampton last night.

His arrival before the loan window shuts on Thursday will end Albion manager Sami Hyypia's search for more firepower to spearhead his Championship strugglers.

Londoner Bent, out-of-contract at Villa Park at the end of the season, has scored 184 goals in 464 games for Ipswich, Charlton, Spurs, Sunderland, Aston Villa and Fulham.

He has attracted transfer fees totalling £47 million in his career and been capped by England 13 times but has been restricted to 88 minutes playing time in the Premier League this season in seven substitute appearances for Villa.

His only start came in the home defeat by Leyton Orient in the Capital One Cup at the end of August.

Bent's move to the South Coast places a fresh question mark over the future of former Barnsley striker Chris O'Grady, bought by Albion for £500,000 in July and awarded a three-year contract.

Sheffield United have been leading the loan chase for out-of-favour O'Grady.