Steven Alzate has been backed to shrug off the disappointment of seeing a potential loan deal timed out.

The midfielder was expected to sign for West Brom but the deal, which only emerged late on, did not beat Thursday night’s transfer deadline.

Alzate has struggled for playing time and midfield competition has now been increased with Billy Gilmour on board.

The Colombia international seized his opportunity to impress in the Carabao Cup, scoring at Forest Green and generally performing well.

Albion head coach Graham Potter said: “It’s part of football. Unfortunately sometimes these things happen on a deadline day.

“There was an option for him but we weren’t kicking him out the door either. It could have gone either way.

“He’s a player we know, a player we like so he will be on the squad and he will be part of our group and then he will be competing for a place.”

Alzate could still have options to move to Europe.

Asked whether he had been keen to join the Baggies, Potter said: “I think he was quite keen to do either, to be honest.

“The opportunity to play regular football was something to be considered as well.

“That’s why he made the consideration and the decision.

“But if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. That’s life.”