West Bromwich Albion boss Roy Hodgson is wary of any new signing blocking the progress of their exciting youngsters.

With less than a week to go before the window shuts, he is refusing to panic buy after having a bid for Liam Ridgewell turned down by Blues last week.

Hodgson told the WBA website: "It's important anyone we bring in has to fit a bill and a profile that we've set up, and it isn't just us saying 'that's a good idea, let's go and get him' because you just pile players up and make a rod for your own back.

"You also block spaces.

"I watched the reserve team yesterday and saw people like Sam Mantom and George Thorne playing very well against Stephen Dobbie and Ferrie Bodde, and anybody we bring in in that position pushes them further back.

"You've got to be certain if you bring somebody in that you don't mind them being pushed further back because this particular player is exactly what you're looking for.

"It's got to be someone who fits that bill and at the moment we're not stuck with a long list of those."