Dean Wilkins has revealed plans to bolster his defence, as well as the attack, during the temporary transfer window.

Loan signings can be made from today until late March and the Albion manager wants to strengthen at both ends of the pitch.

He said: "We have brought in two midfield players (Nick Ward and Alexis Bertin) so that area is probably our strongest department in terms of depth. That leaves a front player and we have to make sure we are covered as well if one of the defenders gets injured."

Adam El-Abd could be switched from midfield back into the defence but Wilkins has to cater for losing Arsenal teenager Joe O'Cearuill from early April.

Albion were hoping the rightback would stay for the rest of the season, rather than month by month.

The search for an experienced goalkeeper continues following the collapse of the deal to bring Alan Blayney back to Withdean.

It is not proving easy to persuade somebody to come in just to sit on the bench as No. 2 to Michel Kuipers.

"That is one of the issues," Wilkins admitted. "There are a couple of experienced keepers out there who we are considering at the moment. They are in their thirties.

"We have to try to bring somebody in. The young goalkeepers at the club (John Sullivan and Richard Martin) have got good potential. I just feel at the moment it would be a very difficult situation to put a young goalkeeper into if Michel was to miss a number of games."

Bertin is in contention for his full debut at Brentford on Saturday. The 26-year-old Frenchman is pushing for a starting place after replacing El-Abd towards the end of last Saturday's 0-0 home draw against Rotherham.

Wilkins said: "Nothing has been decided but it definitely has to be considered. He has settled in well. He looks comfortable in training. His English isn't good but he kind of understands a little bit.

"On Saturday we had the tactics board in the dugout. We were looking for him to get forward and leave Dean Hammond in an anchor role. He managed to do that and get a shot in."

Bertin was denied his first start for the club last night when the Reserves' match against Bournemouth was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Worthing.