Albion have beaten off competition from Championship rivals to sign new No. 1 Steve Harper on loan from Newcastle.

Boss Gus Poyet revealed to The Argus: "There were plenty of teams interested in Steve. It wasn't easy.

"We are very pleased and lucky to have got him. I am not going to say the names of the teams but there were others."

Harper's capture supplements the loan move of versatile Chilean international defender Gonzalo Jara Reyes from West Brom and follows ten goals conceded in the last five games by Casper Ankergren, the last from 30 yards at Millwall last week.

Poyet said: "I needed to make a decision about something I feel that we need, nothing else. There's no drama, no secrets.

"I thought it was the time to bring that type of personality and experience. We need to start making decisions and for a few people it's going to be hard.

"We have been playing okay. It hasn't been enough. Now we have got more strength and experience of this level and a higher level."

Harper and Jara Reyes will go straight into the side against West Ham at The Amex tonight.

Poyet added: "We are going into the game with two experienced Championship players with Premiership experience and international (Jara Reyes) as well, which means we are in a better situation."