Aune Heggebo watch: West Brom's 'Hulk' makes impression on Hawthorns bow and brings 'something different'

Struck down with another knock, the US international is now missing until after the September international break.

And with Josh Maja out of the squad having featured in a cameo appearance at Lincoln City - it really only left Albion with two strikers.

One of those was Devante Cole - with the other being the big money summer signing Aune Heggebo.

It will have been the first time many Albion fans will have seen him, as he made his Hawthorns bow against the La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.

He did start at Lincoln but it was a bit of an afternoon to forget to some extent for Albion - so Saturday was the first chance to see him against decent, quality opposition.

And you have to say there were a lot more positives than there were negatives.

It took a while for him to get in the game with the Spanish side on top early on, but when Albion did get a foothold Heggebo looked lively.

His ability to shield the ball and drive forward caught the eye in the first half.

In the second period he came into his own a bit. His aerial ability was there to see, winning flick ons and giving the visiting central defenders something to do.

He could hold it, link play and drove Albion forward at times in the second half.

It seemed certainly in the second period he very much benefitted from having a second striker alongside him, with Karlan Grant providing support.

He went close with an effort from range, while his only downside was a few indecisions and decision making with his passing later on in the game.

However, what he did bring is something new, something fresh and different. Even if Albion had a fully fit and firing striking department, Heggebo would bring something different to what they have.

On the whole, on a positive and optimistic afternoon, Heggebo's display and impact and what he could potentially bring to Albion has to be a big plus for Albion fans and Mason, given the striker news in the last 24 hours.