ELLIOTT Bennett is back in favour at Norwich – and that has hit Albion’s hopes of recapturing him on loan.

Bennett, left, started Norwich’s 0-0 draw at Birmingham on Saturday under recently installed manager Alex Neil.

It followed the winger’s first appearance for the Canaries since September as a substitute in their previous game against Brentford.

Bennett, a leading member of the Albion side that won League One in 2010-11, returned on loan in November when Sami Hyypia was in charge and made seven appearances. Hyypia’s successor Chris Hughton used Bennett in the Premier League for Norwich before knee damage ruled out the 26-year-old for nine months last season.

The transfer window for permanent signings shuts at 11pm this evening.

Hughton said: "We’re working very hard, the same as everybody else. We have the benefit that, once the window closes, one week or so later we are able to work off the emergency loan market.

"There are some clubs that won’t be prepared to let players ago at this particular stage, but that will possibly change in a week’s time. But we are trying very hard."