Steve Bruce's response when asked about West Brom & free transfers

Steve Bruce hasn’t ruled out the possibility of making additions to his inherited West Bromwich Albion squad - despite missing the January transfer window boat by a matter of days.

Bruce has been installed as the club’s new manager, appointed a little over a day after Valerien Ismael parted company with the club last Wednesday. Those events, set in motion with Ismael’s sacking on Wednesday, came less than 48 hours after the closing of the window.

In that time, Albion moved to bring in Daryl Dike and then Andy Carroll, when the former was struck down by injury on his first start. Robert Snodgrass left by mutual consent and Jordan Hugill’s loan spell was cut short, but otherwise it was a pretty quiet window - compared to promotion rival Bournemouth, certainly.

It means that Bruce, preparing for his first match in charge at Sheffield United - his former employers - doesn’t have the opportunity afforded to Sam Allardyce a little over a year ago to strengthen the Baggies squad as he sees fit.

The free agent market, of course, is open 365 days of the year. It’d be tricky to find a player who ticks all the boxes, but Bruce says Albion will take a look.

“You never give up hope – if there is somebody out there who can make you better,” he said. “It’s very, very difficult that now with work permits – it’s very rare you find somebody out of contract who is available, but if there is we will look at the opportunity - that’s for sure.”

The only time Bruce had sat down and watched Albion this season was on the opening evening of the campaign - and having seen them in action against Bournemouth, he thought they were nailed on for promotion.

Bruce was still in management with boyhood club Newcastle United back in August, and he