No recall just yet for West Brom youngster Liam O'Neil

West Brom have ruled out recalling youngster Liam O'Neil to cover for Youssouf Mulumbu when the midfielder leaves for the African Cup of Nations.

But the Baggies have insisted on a 24-hour recall clause on O'Neil's extended loan at League One side Scunthorpe.

O'Neil's stay at Glanford Park has been extended until early January after his successful first month with the Iron.

And head coach Alan Irvine is happy for the home-grown midfield man to stay with the Lincolnshire club when Mulumbu leaves next month to link up with DR Congo.

"Liam is on a 24-hour recall and that was seen to be in Liam's best interests," said Irvine.

"We didn't want to not let him go back to Scunthorpe and then find that he was kicking his heels here and not playing.

"He is enjoying playing there and it's really good for him so the compromise was that he went back but with a 24-hour recall.

"It's an area where we've got some quality in depth. I'd rather not be losing Youssouf but we are.

"That's the situation and, like other clubs, we just have to deal with it."

O'Neil has played four times for Mark Robins' men.

and the Baggies are happy with his progress.

But they are not ready to rush him back into their Premier League squad in the absence of Mulumbu.

Hawthorns officials are awaiting notification from DR Congo about Mulumbu's release date for international duty but the 27-year-old, who has lost his starting place in recent weeks, is likely to leave early in the New Year and could be missing for around a month.

Irvine said: "We haven't had the notification about Youssouf yet.

"We don't tend to get it early and it hasn't come yet.

"We know Jason Davidson is away at the end of the month with Australia."