GUS Poyet has warned Albion’s full-backs they face competition from his assistant Mauricio Taricco and new signing Romain Vincelot.

Inigo Calderon and Marcos Painter, both regulars last season, will be fighting for their places with the 37-year-old Argentinian and Frenchman from Dagenham and Redbridge. Poyet said: “Tano has done pre-season because he wanted to be fit and suffer it. He’s feeling great, which means we have got a problem because he is a top class player.

“He is a Premiership player all day long. I will try to make sure he makes the decision himself if he wants to play or not but if he does he is not going to be the one waiting to see if something happens, to be cover.

“The competition then is going to become a little bit more complicated for the full-backs, which is good for the team.”

Vincelot began his career as a central defender and was converted by Dagenham into a free-scoring central midfielder last season but Poyet said: “We signed him, because we need a full-back.

“He can play both sides. It’s going to be a difficult job for Calde and Marcos, because they have got somebody who is going to be able to challenge for those places.”

Poyet could add another Frenchman to his squad after 20-year-old midfielder Loic Damour impressed in Friday’s friendly victory against Whitehawk.

Poyet said: “Loic is a player we were looking at last year. He was under contract with Strasbourg but they are struggling financially and we’ve had the chance to have him for a few days.

“He showed his passing ability. He is a very, very interesting player.”

Kazenga LuaLua, re-signed from Newcastle on loan until January 15, flies out with the rest of the squad to Portugal today as Albion step up their Championship preparations.