Baggies grab Holgate

WEST BROM have agreed a deal to sign Everton defender Mason Holgate on loan for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old, who joined the Toffees from Barnsley in 2015, has made only six appearances this season, with the most recent coming in September.

West Brom manager Darren Moore said: “I tried to bring Mason into the squad in the summer but at that stage Everton were not willing to release him.

“He is a good player, quick, agile, athletic, comfortable on the ball. He’s a young, up-andcoming player with a big future.

“But he already has good Premier League experience, including playing in a Merseyside derby and that is a real furnace to handle. He will compete for the right-back and central defensive positions.

“His enthusiasm to come also impressed me – he wants to play and I believe he is going to be a good addition for us.”

Holgate’s transfer will be activated today but he will be unavailable for the match at Blackburn and could instead make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Wigan at the Hawthorns. DERBY want Ethan Ampadu on loan but Chelsea are reluctant to release the starlet.

Rams manager Frank Lampard intends to bolster his backline after losing Curtis Davies to a long-term Achilles injury.

Derby won 4-3 at Norwich on Saturday but have conceded six goals in two games ahead of today’s visit by Middlesbrough.

Versatile Wales international Ampadu, 18, who has six caps, could plug the gap at the back.