Albion want a target man to lend a hand to Craig Mackail-Smith - but they are more likely to borrow than buy.

A striker with presence is still the top priority for manager Gus Poyet during the January transfer window, together with a midfielder of similar stature to beef up his small side.

Poyet told The Argus: "That was the key of bringing Billy (Paynter) and that is the key now of looking for a striker who can help. I am still thinking Craig can play on his own.

"Saying that, of course it is easier for him to play with somebody next to him and if that is a player who can win the ball in the air, who can hold it and is strong, who can take one of the defenders away from him even better, so we are looking really, really hard in the market to see if we can get that type of player.

"There are players of that style for sale, so you need to buy. To buy I need to be 100 per cent convinced he is a player who is going to be with us for the next three years, not just four months, so it will be easier to get a loan, have them here for a month, see if they adapt to the way we play, if he likes the place, if we like him."

Former trialist Habib Habibou is not one of the leading contenders. "We would like a striker who has already played in England if possible and have him on loan and under the budget, so it's a difficult one," Poyet said. "But if it doesn't work Habib is one of the possibilities."

Mackail-Smith has scored seven goals for Albion, including one in his last 15 appearances, after 35 for Peterborough last season. Poyet admits getting the best out of him from his team-mates is a work in progress.

He said: "It's a new club, a new way of playing. We have not been consistent enough, so he can go a couple of games without a clear chance, then have four or five.

"It's a different type of situation for Craig but, like I've said in the past and I'm going to say for the next three years, I am not worried at all. I know he will score goals and how important he is for us."

Poyet is considering giving the hard-working Mackail-Smith a rest in the FA Cup against Wrexham at The Amex tomorrow. Loan signing Paynter has gone back to Leeds but Ashley Barnes is available again after a three-match ban.

"It's one of the options," Poyet added. "I am tempted to play the whole development squad but then people will think you don't respect the competition or the opposition or the fans, which is not true. What I am trying to do is what is best for our players in the league."