Albion appear poised to sell defender Steve Cook to Bournemouth during the January transfer window.

Reports from Bournemouth over Christmas indicated 20-year-old Cook’s loan move to the League One club will be made permanent.

Gus Poyet did little to dispel the suggestion following yesterday’s 3-0 setback at Reading.

He told The Argus: “They (Bournemouth) are trying to approach us but it’s going to take a while to know what is going to happen so we’ll see. It is not always in our hands to control the situation.

“He is finishing his contract as well, so we need to see what we are doing.”

Albion have the option of recalling Cook to help them cope with their current shortage of players.