Albion are poised to extend the stay of Tony Stokes, even though he has been running out of steam.

The midfielder's initial month from West Ham expires with tomorrow's visit by Crewe.

The Seagulls plan to keep him for a second month and resolve a stamina issue which has been stopping him from lasting the course.

Stokes, 19, has started all five matches on the left of Albion's midfield trio but he has been substituted in the second half of the last two games against Nottingham Forest and Boston.

Manager Mark McGhee revealed: "We've felt in games that he has tired a little bit and we've actually discovered there's a little bit of something going on in his system that West Ham have also discovered.

"It's not medication but minerals and vitamins and certain things missing that have caused him to tire, so we expect more out of him as the weeks go on and as his fitness improves.

"He's a footballer and we are playing football. He keeps the game ticking over but I think he's got a lot more to come."

Loan defender Keith Lowe is set to return to Wolves after the Crewe game with a glowing tribute from McGhee following a frustrating month in which he has been restricted to one reserve team appearance.

"We brought him here to play and it is just not the way it has worked out," McGhee said. "That's absolutely no reflection on him or the way he has gone about his business. He's been fantastic. He's a first class professional and Wolves deserve some credit for that."

McGhee met with chairman Dick Knight and chief scout Dean White yesterday to finalise transfer targets.

The transfer window closes on Thursday and signing a centre forward remains the top priority, although Albion face competition from Blackpool in trying to lure Ben Burgess away from Hull.