West Brom's top ten best loanees from the last 20 years

Johnston's short spell at Albion was the catalyst in propelling the Baggies into the play-offs.

In the past, the likes of Dwight Gayle, Matheus Pereira and Romelu Lukaku have made sizeable impacts at the Baggies after being loaned out by their parent clubs.

There have been a string of memorable loanees down the years at The Hawthorns - and Jonny Drury ranks the top ten Albion loan signings in the last 20 years.

1 - Dwight Gayle

Many will rank the order differently and have another player at the top of the list - but for me Gayle sits above others.

It wouldn't be an easy decision to rank him top - but his contribution of 24 goals in 41 games that season was the catalyst for Albion.

His partnership with Jay Rodriguez was electric - and it was just a shame the defensive line weren't as on top of their game as the forward one.

On the flip side - had Albion not had such a potent strike force and the goals of Gayle, they would have been nowhere near the play-offs.

2 - Matheus Pereira

Coming in narrowly behind in second is the little magician.

Initially signed on loan before his move was made permanent, Pereira lit up the division and for many is one of the best to ever grace the Championship.

In a side with no clear sharp front man, Pereira, along with others made the difference.

He sparkled and could make things happen even on an off day - and went on to shine in a drab Premier League campaign.

3 - Romelu Lukaku

At the time Lukaku was one of the biggest transfer coups Albion had been able to pull off.

Arriving from Chelsea he led the line for Albion all season - in what was a terrific campaign as they recorded their highest ever Premier League finish.

He ended with 17 goals in all competitions - and put in some memorable performances.

Some may have him top of this list - but for me he was in at three because the side around him was a very good team.

4 - Harvey Barnes

For many, Barnes sits above the rest. When fans remember loan players, his name is early on in the conversation.

He came in from Leicester after a loan spell elsewhere - and he excelled.

He netted a belter on the opening day and went on to play a key role in the first half of the season.

His goal in the trip to Sheffield Wednesday will forever be remembered - but it ended in heartbreak as he was recalled in January.

5 - Mikey Johnston

The freshest of the loan successes, Johnston was arguably the one who dragged Albion over the play-off line.

He netted not just important goals - but stunning ones too.

He was a revelation after arriving from Celtic, however, in the end Albion fell short in their quest for promotion.

Many fans want him to stay - but with Celtic rumoured to be looking to move him on permanently it looks unlikely.

6 - Kieran Richardson

You have to cast your mind back 19 years to remember a young Richardson arriving from Manchester United.

In the midst of a relegation dog fight and looking at the drop square in the face - Bryan Robson signed Kevin Campbell, Kieran Richardson and Richard Chaplow.

The latter didn't quite make an impact - but Campbell and Richardson did.

As a central midfielder he brought class and quality that Albion were desperately lacking in the middle and played a key role.

He scored twice, including that last day goal as the Great Escape was completed.

7 - Grady Diangana

He has been a permanent fixture for a number of years now - but Diangana's initial spell was on loan and what a spell it was.

The wide man, along with Pereira, pulled the strings and made Albion tick,

His tricks and flicks and eight goals played a major role in helping Albion secure automatic promotion.

8 - Ben Foster

Foster would go on to spend a number of years at Albion - but his first season was a loan spell at the club.

Roy Hodgson brought him to the club and immediately you could see the Baggies had made a first class signing.

He was then a regular fixture, aside from injury, before his departure to Watford following the club's relegation.

9 - Ishmael Miller

Arriving as a youngster from Man City - Miller took the Championship by storm in a season when Albion boasted an unstoppable front line.

Before the end of the January transfer window he had scored ten goals in all competitions - prompting Albion to make the move permanent.

He would then go on to score a further six goals in all competitions - as they reached the FA Cup last four and won the league.

Miller did make a slight impact in the Premier League but after a serious knee injury he never truly recovered.

10 - Roman Bednar

Over the years, it seems that if you do well on loan and Albion can afford you, you'll return.

And Bednar fits into that category.

Arriving in 2007 on loan from Hearts, Bednar excelled and bagged 17 goals across all competitions that campaign.

He didn't quite score as regularly in the Premier League, but stayed at Albion to help them win promotion back to the top flight under Roberto Di Matteo.