ALBION manager Micky Adams is aiming to extend the loan spell of Italian powerhouse Lorenzo Pinamonte.

Pinamonte's month with the Seagulls from Bristol City expires after the next home match against Leyton Orient on Saturday week.

Adams is planning talks with Bristol boss Tony Pulis in a bid to keep the big striker until March.

"I will be speaking to Tony Pulis over the next couple of days," Adams said.

"Lorenzo is a Bristol City player at the end of the day, but I would like to keep him. On what we have seen so far he would be an asset to us."

The 6ft 3ins Pinamonte has helped Albion to two wins and a draw since his debut in the defeat at Swansea before Christmas.

The 21-year-old ex-Foggia forward scored twice in Monday's 4-2 home win against Exeter, when he again formed an effective three-pronged strike force with leading marksman Darren Freeman and Gary Hart.

"All I know at the moment is that the boy is happy and enjoying his football and we are pleased to have him," said Adams.

"If we can keep him for another couple of months on loan that would be great."

Albion's chances of signing Pinamonte permanently appear slim.

He is not old enough to be eligible for a free transfer under the Bosman ruling at the end of the season, when he is out of contract at Bristol, and the fee is likely to be prohibitive if the Second Division club decide to let him go.

Adams also expects Pinamonte to be cup-tied by City for next Tuesday's Auto Windscreens Shield visit to Bournemouth.

Pinamonte and the rest of Albion's first team players return to training tomorrow after two days off.

No injuries were suffered against Exeter, so flu-hit Adams has almost a full-strength squad to select from for Saturday's trip to Rochdale.

The Reserve game against Adams' old club Fulham, scheduled for this afternoon, was called off yesterday due to a waterlogged pitch.

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