Albion's attempt to bring Kazenga LuaLua back from Newcastle on loan has been plunged into uncertainty once again.

The Seagulls expected LuaLua to travel south yesterday and to complete the move this morning.

Instead the Congolese winger was still in Newcastle last night after training with the Toon.

Albion remain hopeful the deal will be completed before the transfer window closes at 6pm this evening, allowing LuaLua to be with them until December 31.

If not they will have to wait until the window re-opens for temporary transfers, although manager Gus Poyet is understood to be rapidly running out of patience with the on-off saga.

Poyet has been pursuing the return of LuaLua throughout the summer after the impact made by the speedy 19-year-old in 11 appearances for Albion towards the end of last season.

They have been left dangling by Newcastle but the breakthrough they had been waiting for had apparently arrived when Toon chief Chris Hughton was quoted in the North East yesterday morning confirming LuaLua would be rejoining Albion until Christmas.

It followed the Premier League newcomers’ capture on Saturday of 23-year-old France international winger Hatem Ben Arfa on a season-long loan from Marseille after another protracted transfer saga.

LuaLua’s non-appearance has now thrown the deal into fresh doubt and given Poyet an extra headache as he tries also to land a striker and defensive cover before the window shuts.

Poyet was unavailable for comment last night but speaking before the latest twist he said: “Everybody knows what Kaz is capable of producing, from his successful spell with us last year.

“We know what he brings, he will give us another attacking dimension with his pace.”