Gus Poyet has told fans he is “very comfortable” with Albion’s efforts to bring back Kazenga LuaLua.

But he admits negotiations with Newcastle have not been straightforward as he bids to re-sign the winger.

LuaLua would be a hugely popular signing with fans and he was believed to be close to completing a deal at the end of last week.

However Poyet said: “It is not an easy negotiation. There are plenty of things to work out but I am happy.

“The problem is that people talk – even Kazenga has talked about this one - and you think deals are done when really they take time.

“We have been working on three or four things and they could come off tomorrow or they could just finish.

“But I am very comfortable with the (LuaLua) situation.”

Poyet admits that, among various options up front, he has not ruled out a move to bring Chris Wood back south from West Bromwich Albion following his loan stint at Withdean last season.

But he played down reports Albion had made a bid for Jason Scotland, the Ipswich striker.

Scotland, believed to be on big wages at Portman Road, is interesting Sheffield Wednesday.

Poyet said: “We are looking in all divisions for players but the way we play makes it more difficult.

“We can’t just sign a player by position.

“There might be 15 or 20 players out there for one position and of those maybe two or three who we think will adapt to the way we play.

“Then those two or three will have different clubs after them so it can really become difficult.”

Poyet also faces a challenge to replace chief scout Zigor Aranalde, who has left to become assistant boss at Albacete in the past week.

He said: “We want to replace Zigor very quickly but it is not an easy one because he was very close to me.”