Albion boss Mark McGhee today attacked agents who "try to find an easy buck."

McGhee spoke out following ground-breaking publication by the Football League of agents fees paid by each of its 72 member clubs in the first six months of the year.

Albion were among the 34 who did not pay a penny to agents as part of nine transfer transactions, including four loans.

McGhee said: "There are agents who provide a valuable service and those who try to find an easy buck.

"If, for example, you need help finding players like trialists from overseas then I think a fee is due as in any other business.

"But it is ludicrous for a club to pay a fee to an agent for a player who is under contract and re-negotiating a new contract. Our policy is that we will not pay agents' fees unless it can be absolutely justified."

The report revealed League clubs used agents in 12 per cent of the 963 transactions from January to June 2004 at a total cost of £1.4 million, more than £1 million of which came from the First Division.

Albion were among ten Second Division clubs who paid nothing. Barnsley paid £60,000, Sheffield Wednesday £41,000, Plymouth £32,000 and Stockport £29,000.

Meanwhile, Albion were today drawn at home to League Two outfit Bristol Rovers in the first round of the Carling Cup. Albion beat Rovers at the same stage of last year's competition.

Albion's visit to Micky Adams' Leicester on August 30 now kicks-off at 12.30pm for live coverage on Sky TV, earning the Seagulls £10,000.