Albion's new record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh will miss part of his first season in the Premier League.

The £17 million winger will be a key figure for Iran in the Asian Cup.

The tournament takes places in the United Arab Emirates in January and February.

Jahanbakhsh will be involved in group games against Yemen, Vietnam and Iraq.

He will be unavailable for the visit of Liverpool and probably the trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.

Jahanbakhsh could miss more matches if Iran, three-time winners and quarter-finalists on four occasions, progress to the knockout stages under Carlos Queiroz.

The Argus revealed last month that goalkeeper Mathew Ryan will miss four games in January and February if Asian Cup holders Australia reach the final for the third time in nine years.

Jahanbakhsh is not involved in today's friendly at Birmingham (3pm).

His first Albion appearance will either be behind closed doors in Nice on Tuesday or against Nantes at the Amex on Friday (7.45pm).