Albion are unlikely to have all their transfer business completed ready for the big kick-off at Derby County on August 6.

That is the message from manager Chris Hughton as he looks to add a full-back, centre-half and two strikers to a squad strengthened so far by the permanent return of midfielder Steve Sidwell.

Hughton, who takes his players to Tenerife tomorrow for a week-long training camp, told The Argus: “History says and our experiences say a lot of business can be done in that last week of the window.

“Ideally any players that you bring in you want in as early as possible to let them get a feel of the club and integrate. The reality is on a lot of occasions it doesn’t happen.

“I think we are in a better position than we were certainly this time last season, when we had to bring in a lot of players. The feeling at the moment is we need to add well to our squad but nowhere near the numbers of last year.”

The transfer window closes following Albion’s fifth league game at the end of August away to title favourites Newcastle United.

The North-East giants signed Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie yesterday for a Championship record fee of £12 million and Crystal Palace striker Dwight Gayle for £10 million. Rafa Benitez clawed back £13 million of the hefty double investment by selling Andros Townsend to Palace.

The Championship transfer market also gathered pace with Sheffield Wednesday snapping up centre-forward Steven Fletcher on a free transfer. The Scottish international has signed a lucrative four-year deal with Albion’s play-off conquerors last season after Sunderland released him.

Hughton said: “Fletcher was probably only going to go to a club that could afford to bring him in and the two that have gone to Newcastle are big buys.

“The bulk of business will take a little bit of time. A good percentage of clubs in the Championship still have to be very mindful and calculated about what they spend and what they bring.

“Of course, there are some who have a little bit more clout.”