Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo today confirmed he wants one more signing before next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The Baggies head coach is targeting a tall central defender as the final piece of his Hawthorns jigsaw before the window shuts next week.

But the Italian acknowledged today that several players could leave the club during the final days of summer business.

“We’ve been linked with a lot of players over the summer,” said Di Matteo.

“I don’t think we’ll be seeing too many more. It’s getting quieter, our team is already competitive and maybe we need to get players out to get one more in.”

Albion are known to be in discussions with French club Auxerre over Romania international defender Gabriel Tamas.

But the 6ft 2ins centre-back is just one name on a shortlist of potential signings being considered.

Di Matteo wants another tall centre-back to help his side handle the physical demands of the Championship, but the Hawthorns head coach is now happy with the competition in other departments of his team.

The signing of Chile international Gonzalo Jara will give Di Matteo cover for the centre-back and full-back positions as well as providing back-up for first-choice defensive midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu.

And the return from suspension of Roman Bednar plus the emergence of Chris Wood has given the Baggies five strikers competing for places.

Relegation to the Championship means they can also use the loan market during the season. Players could leave before Tuesday with record signing Borja Valero and out-of-favour defender Abdoulaye Meite the most likely to move on.

But Di Matteo is happy with the strength in depth in the Hawthorns dressing room.

“We have sold a couple of players and we’re still in a good position,” said the head coach.

“New players still have to come into the side and Simon Cox, Reuben Reid, Jerome Thomas and Gonzalo Jara have not really featured yet.

“James Morrison hasn’t featured in the team yet, nor has Ishmael Miller. Considering these players haven’t played, we’re not in a bad position.”