Albion want Percy Tau to show his Premier League potential in his next loan stint.

But the South Africa star’s participation in top-flight football and the Champions League is unlikely to greatly help his pursuit of a work permit.

Tau, pictured, is set to sign for Belgian top-flight team Club Brugge after a hugely successfully season in the second tier with Union St Gilloise.

A well-placed source has described the deal as “a fantastic move” for both Tau and Albion.

They believe the experience in the Jupiler League and Champions League will make adjustment easier when he arrives in England.

Brugge will play in the Champions League group stages if they can get past Dynamo Kiev in the third qualifying round and then survive a two-leg play-off.

It remains unclear exactly how the Seagulls could hope to bring him into their squad as things stand.

South Africa are up to 70th in the FIFA world rankings, still 20 places below the top-50 ranking Tau needs.

They have risen 11 places in the last two years and enjoyed a decent Africa Cup of Nations recently.

Players receive credits for playing in European club competitions from the group stages.

There is also the possibility of applying for permission as an exceptional case.

A player not meeting the usual qualification conditions can be granted permission to play in this country if he is deemed to be “internationally established at the highest level and that his employment will make a significant contribution to the development of football at the highest level in England.”

Albion’s current squad continue their pre-season programme with a friendly at Birmingham City today (3pm).

Albion’s Under-23s lost 3-1 at National League Ebbsfleet United in a friendly last night.

Gozie Ugwu, Aswad Thomas and John Goddard (penalty) struck for Fleet while sub Jack Spong replied.