West Bromwich Albion striker Charlie Austin has suggested that any potential additions at the Hawthorns this month will need to be prepared to fight for their place in the side and show the right character.
The Baggies could be looking to add to the squad this month to help provide some extra quality to help Slaven Bilic's side secure promotion to the Premier League this term, and that could be even more important given West Brom have suffered a dip in form over the festive period going four Championship games without a win.
Bilic could yet be forced to search for a potential replacement for Grady Diangana, with West Ham keeping their options open with regards a recall for the 21-year-old according to the Football Insider, while Nathan Ferguson might also need to be replaced after being linked with a move to Crystal Palace.
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Speaking to Birmingham Live, Austin suggested that any new additions would need to show the same togetherness and fighting spirit as the rest of the squad, saying: "They are going to have to prove themselves worthy of that place.
"Here everybody has got their own characters but I’m telling you it’s one of the closest dressing rooms I’ve ever been in. We’re tight. If you are a character who doesn’t fit you are not going to be comfortable in there.
"There’s no room for anyone who isn’t going to buy in to what the group is all about. I think that’s why we’ve had a good run. I mean, we’re a good team, a very good team."
The Verdict
Austin is right to demand that any new signings come in and display the same qualities that West Brom have shown throughout the season so far, the Baggies have often showed real fighting spirit and never say die attitude when claiming points from losing positions so far this term.
When you are performing well and up at the top of the table it can often be a difficult call whether to add players to the squad, with the possibility of them disrupting the momentum that has been built up, but Bilic is experienced enough to sign the players with the right character to improve the squad.
It could be a crucial transfer window for the Baggies, who could need to replace both Diangana and Ferguson, which would be a huge ask, but West Brom are currently in a very good place to attract any potential players they are interested in this month.