Albion boss Tony Mowbray has backed record signing Borja Valero to get stronger after his baptism of fire at Hartlepool.

The £4.7million Spaniard was introduced to English football in the all-action Carling Cup defeat at the League One outfit.

Mowbray believes a debut at Victoria Park could prove to be valuable experience for the 23-year-old, who was only confirmed in the team when his international clearance was received early yesterday evening.

He said: “I think it was an interesting game for him and would have got him up to speed with the English game very quickly.

“There were a few heavy tackles and stuff like that, but there’s nothing in the rules that says you are not allowed to tackle and be physical.

“I knew going to Hartlepool would be a very steep learning curve for him.

“The clearance came through quite late but we were always going to hold on as long as we could, because we were eager to get him on the pitch and get him used to English football as soon as we could.

“It’s a very technical game in Spain. He is probably used to a bit more protection and used to a bit less physicality over there than he was subjected to against Hartlepool.”

Nonetheless, Mowbray was impressed with Valero’s levels of fitness, as he played 120 minutes in his first competitive appearance of the season, four days after his signing was confirmed.

Mowbray said: “He was fine fitness-wise but that’s another reason why the game was important to him.

“He will be fine for us. He has a lovely range of passing and soft feet to pass the ball ,which is what our team is about.”

Mowbray is also awaiting updates from club officials, on progress with new signings as the transfer window ticks down into its final six days.