Albion boss Sami Hyypia says the club’s surprise capture of Darren Bent has created a buzz.

The ex-England striker makes his debut on loan from Aston Villa at the Amex today against Fulham, where he also had a loan spell last season.

Free-scoring Bent has teamed up with on-loan Villa colleagues Joe Bennett and Gary Gardner after falling out of favour with the West Midlands giants under Paul Lambert.

He came on as a late substitute in Villa’s Premier League draw at home to Southampton on Monday but made his only start this season back in August in the Capital One Cup.

Hyypia told The Argus: “We have to see if it is a good or bad decision but definitely I have noticed there is a kind of an excitement about Darren being here and hopefully he can match the expectations and excitement.

“I was surprised, yes. He played in the Premier League on Monday, so from that point of view having him here now maybe many people wouldn't have expected.

“But I guess he has talked with Gary and Joe to know how we do it here, how we play and how we train, the training ground and everything.

“I think those things are helping to get that kind of player and hopefully we can do things even better in the future and we attract better players in the future as well."

Craig Mackail-Smith, who has gone out on loan to Peterborough, had a quiet game last night as they lost 3-0 at home to Bristol City.