ALBION are refusing to let Christmas come early for Scunthorpe by allowing Matt Sparrow to rejoin them on the cheap.

The cash-strapped League One strugglers want to re-sign on loan the midfielder who served them for 11 years before leaving for the Seagulls.

Sparrow has not been part of Albion’s first team plans since the start of the season but Scunthorpe have to agree a deal over his wages before the loan deadline expires a week on Thursday.

Albion boss Gus Poyet said: “We have got no problem with Matt going to Scunthorpe but there is a negotiation. We don’t give presents.

“We help people but we are not Santa Claus, not yet. December (25th) is still a month-and-a-half away.”

Albion’s 19-year-old development squad striker Ben Dickenson celebrated his Football League debut on a month’s loan to Chesterfield with a goal in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Bristol Rovers. Poyet said: “I am pleased for him, because he is a player we are looking forward in the future to having in the first team.”