Albion are on the brink of strengthening their Championship squad with a hat-trick of new players.

Manager Mark McGhee hopes to solve his centre half shortage by borrowing 19-year-old Paul McShane from Manchester United.

Monaco winger Sebastien Carole also begins a trial with the Seagulls today as McGhee aims to complete the on-off signing of goalkeeper Alan Blayney from Southampton.

McShane, an English-born Republic of Ireland under-19 international, was watched by Albion in United's reserves last season, when he also scored once in four games on loan to Paul Merson's Walsall.

If the deal goes through he is likely to partner Guy Butters in Saturday's Championship opener against Derby at Pride Park.

McShane is the latest of a number of central defenders pursued by Albion. Charlton's Mark Fish has been ruled out of the running after joining Ipswich on trial.

Carole, meanwhile, will be training with Albion for the next few days on the recommendation of an agent. His arrival follows a bid by McGhee to add a touch of flair to his squad by signing 21-year-old Chris Burke on loan from Glasgow Rangers.

A move for Burke, who made 16 appearances for the Scottish giants last season in the Premier League, League Cup and UEFA Cup, has been put on hold for the time being by Alex McLeish, the Rangers manager and McGhee's former Aberdeen team-mate.

"I thought I might be getting Burke but Alex wants to keep him for a little bit until his season starts settling down," McGhee revealed.

The permanent re-signing of Blayney, the Northern Irishman loaned to the Seagulls towards the end of last season, is back on course with McGhee hopeful of concluding the deal today.

A late decision will be taken on whether to hand Federico Turienzo his debut in English football at Derby.

Albion have now received international clearance for the tall Argentinian target man.

"We'll see how he feels on Thursday and Friday and what else we have got available," McGhee said.

Turienzo and Carole were linking up for a special training session today, giving McGhee the chance to cast his eye over the cosmopolitan pair.