Pace ace Mustapha Carayol was last night tipped to win over Albion’s fans in a hurry – by a former team-mate.

The 26-year-old winger or attacking midfielder has signed on loan from Middlesbrough for the rest of the season.

Albion tried to bring him in on a permanent deal during the January transfer window last season but saw a significant bid rejected.

Now former Seagulls skipper Adam Virgo, who played alongside Carayol at Bristol Rovers, has revealed why his arrival will go down well with supporters.

Virgo said: “He will become a fans’ favourite very quickly because he does something with the ball.

“He will add something a bit different. He has got two good feet, he‘s quick, he can cut inside and shoot or go down the outside. Sometimes he could frustrate managers but he fully deserved his move to Middlesbrough and his work rate his improved there.

“I think he has brought that defensive aspect more into his game.

“He’s a good lad who will settle in easily and that’s a massive factor as well.”

Carayol has six games in which to prove his recovery from a serious knee injury before Albion meet his parent club in the final fixture of the season.

He is hugely popular with fans at the Riverside but has not played for the first team for more than a year.

His contract was due to expire this summer but it is understood Boro recently exercised a one-year option.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Ledesma, who has spent the last month on loan to Albion, has returned to Middlesbrough.

Jeffrey Monakana, who has been at Mansfield, saw his loan services transferred to Carlisle ahead of yesterday’s 5pm deadline., Jake Forster-Caskey is likely to earn a 12th cap for England under-21s tonight when they face the Czech Republic in a friendly in Prague.