'Baggies have to be clever'

What do West Brom need in January?

Albion firstly need a new head coach following Carlos Corberan's departure to Valencia and, in my opinion, at least three additions to bolster the squad and maintain a play-off push.

Corberan said in his final press conference that the main priority would be a central defender and something the recruitment team is already working on, especially with Paddy McNair joining new MLS franchise San Diego when his loan finishes next week.

Daryl Dike's comeback from his latest long-term injury might also determine whether they look to bolster their forward options. Josh Maja can't do it on his own and Devante Cole has only had limited minutes.

More output from the number 10 role is also needed as Grady Diangana, who has struggled with injuries, has only scored once and John Swift is yet to net.

What sort of business are they likely to do?

Albion still have to be clever in the transfer market due to financial losses in the previous two years and this year it's expected to be higher.

The most likely route to new arrivals is loans but the Baggies showed they are capable of spending money in the summer with the £3m outlay for Mikey Johnston spread across his four-year contract and the bargain £500,000 on defender Torbjorn Heggem.

How successful have they been in recent January windows?

Last January can be considered a success by just one signing alone. Johnston arrived on loan from Celtic and scored seven goals in 20 appearances to help the Baggies secure a play-off place.

He made that much of an impact that Albion signed him permanently on transfer deadline day in the summer, despite having limited funds to play with.

Two other loan deals were also done last winter. They signed experienced forward Andi Weimann, who chipped in with a couple of vital goals, but West Ham youngster Callum Marshall was a complete flop. French free agent Yann M'Vila made up the numbers but left in the summer.

2022 saw the arrivals of veteran striker Andy Carroll, who scored three goals, and Albion's last big money January signing, Dike.

The United States international arrived for a reported £7m from Orlando City but has made just 32 appearances, scoring eight times, since then due to multiple serious injuries.

Are there likely to be any notable departures?

All the signs point to Lewis Dobbin's season-long loan from Aston Villa being cut short.

The forward has started just one league game and was left out of the squad for the Boxing Day defeat at Derby

I'm sure there will be speculation surrounding winger Tom Fellows but Albion rejected a £10m bid from Southampton in the summer and insist they don't need to sell anybody.

How important is the transfer window likely to be in determining the success of their season?

The Championship isn't as strong this season, so the Baggies do still have a decent chance of challenging for a top-six place with the squad they have but need stronger options to cement a place there.

They've been more defensively solid than last season but have lacked consistent creativity in the final third. They need to find a spark, similar to what they got with Johnston's arrival last January.

However, their most important signing will be head coach, rather than a player.