Gus Poyet admits he faces his toughest battle of the summer to bring in new firepower.

The Albion boss wants two more strikers on board in time for the Championship kick-off to compete for places with Ashley Barnes and new boy Will Hoskins.

Crystal Palace yesterday confirmed the arrival of Glenn Murray at Selhurst Park on a three-year contract after a deal was struck at the weekend.

Poyet, who was unwilling to satisfy out-of-contract Murray’s wage demands during negotiations dating back to last summer, admitted: “I always say it is very important to get the strikers in because they are the most difficult.

“You get them in as soon as possible. Of course you do the deals you can but I like to get strikers in first.”

Ideally Poyet would like to sign players who, like Hoskins, have Championship experience.

Asked what was required in the second tier, he replied: “Quality, quality, quality.

“You’re playing against better defenders, stronger defenders, quicker defenders, better teams, better managers.”

Poyet has challenged Jamie Smith to regain the form which made him an early-season success last year and add to his attacking midfield options.

The former Crystal Palace youngster was lively in the pre-season friendly against Aberdeen and the opening day success at Swindon. However, he quickly slipped out of the first-team reckoning and was sidelined by a fractured metatarsal towards the end of the season.

Now he has agreed a six-month deal and been urged to turn it into something more long-term.

The Albion boss said: "He is a very good footballer. Everybody was surprised when I complimented him at the start of last season when he had not been playing before.

"Then he sort of disappeared. I know he was injured for some of that.

"We would like him to get back to what he was doing. He knows me and what I want to do."