ALBION are still in the market for at least one new central midfielder after losing out on David Prutton.

He has decided to sign for Swindon instead, which leaves manager Gus Poyet with a big hole to fill in the middle of the park.

The Argus revealed a month ago Albion’s interest in free agent Prutton as a replacement for the outgoing Andrew Crofts, ahead of the skipper’s move to Norwich.

Prutton was offered a new contract by Colchester but their chances of keeping hold of the 28-year-old were wrecked 48 hours later when boss Aidy Boothroyd quit to join Coventry.

That appeared to pave the way for Poyet to land a player he knows well from their time together at Leeds but the Uruguayan warned they would face competition for his services.

Sure enough, Swindon have pinched Prutton from under Albion’s noses after they thought they had him in the bag.

They are in good company. Sheffield Wednesday were also interested in Prutton but he has chosen to link up at the County Ground with two former Leeds team-mates, goalkeeper David Lucas and vice-captain Jonathan Douglas.

He will now be lining up against Albion when Swindon entertain them in the opening game of the season on August 7.

Prutton’s preference follows Swindon’s rejection of a £250,000 offer from Albion for their skipper and centre half Gordon Greer.

It emphasises the difficulty Poyet faces in assembling a squad capable of competing not just with League One promotion favourites Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday but also the likes of Swindon, Charlton, Huddersfield and Peterborough.