Albion close in on Rotherham's Reid

The Baggies were hoping to finalise the signing of the 21-year-old in time for him to figure in tomorrow's Hawthorns friendly against Chievo.

But Albion boss Roberto Di Matteo still wants another new striker before the closure of the transfer window, as Reid is not seen as an immediate first-team star.

Di Matteo is a long-time admirer of Bristol-born Reid, who he tried to sign earlier this summer while still in charge of MK Dons.

Now he hopes to nurture the former Plymouth trainee at The Hawthorns.

But he plans to ease Reid into first-team action and still wants to recruit some instant competition for Simon Cox and Luke Moore.

Ishmael Miller will be sidelined for several months with a recurrence of his knee problems and Roman Bednar could be back from suspension but, even if the Czech striker is given another chance, he is likely to be lacking in fitness after missing pre-season with his team-mates.

Reid began his career at Plymouth but cut his teeth in first-team football during several loan spells, including one at Kidderminster.

He finally left Home Park to join the Millers, for whom he caught the eye with 19 goals last season.

He will become Di Matteo's second signing, following the arrival of Cox from Swindon for £1.5million.