Albion's managing director Ken Brown is confident transfer dealings will not be disrupted by the departure of John Stephenson.

Stephenson would have been responsible for contract negotiations with potential signings such as Swansea midfield target Ryan Harley in his role as head of football operations.

Brown told The Argus: "We revert to where we were for the time being, which means the chairman (Tony Bloom) leads on it.

“He has got lots of other things to do, so I will be involved as well. We'll do it between us in conjunction with Gus.

“I am sure we can continue to deliver what Gus wants. We all know the market and the agents."

Albion are in no hurry to appoint a successor to Zigor Aranalde as chief scout following his return to Spain in June as assistant head coach of Albacete.

“We now have a much larger and more extensive scouting network than we had before," Brown said.

“We are comfortable with that and Gus will have a closer involvement with that, in the short-term at least.”

Albion have confirmed their Carling Cup tie against Sunderland at The Amex will take place on Tuesday, August 23 (7.45pm).

It is one of three home fixtures in what promises to be a busy eight-day period at The Amex.