Alan Irvine looks for Ideye kick-start

The 26-year-old Nigeria international has scored just once since his big money summer move from Dynamo Kiev.

And cruelly, he injured his ankle in the act of scoring that goal against Hull City in the Capital One Cup which further set him back.

Ideye made his return to action in last Tuesday's Capital One Cup defeat at Bournemouth and head coach Irvine believes the pitch-time will have done him good.

"It was good for him to get a start," said the Baggies head coach. "He needed that and hopefully it will do him a lot of good.

"It's been frustrating for him and the same for us."

"Having scored his first goal he got injured scoring it and that was a real shame as everyone has seen plenty of times in the past a striker scores a goal and suddenly he can't stop scoring."

Irvine acknowledges the fine form of Saido Berahino, who has scored eight in all competitions, has taken some of the pressure off Ideye.

"It has given him that little bit more time to get fit, first of all," he said. "It's given him the opportunity as well to get to know people and get more settled in the area.

"I hate to think how I would have managed going to Ukraine. It can't be easy.

"And for a Nigerian to come from Ukraine to England it is a big life change."

Albion travelled to Leicester City this afternoon and Irvine revealed the Foxes big summer signing, Leonardo Ulloa, was also on the Baggies summer hitlist.

The Argentine has scored five goals since his switch from Brighton and Irvine added: "He was a player that was on a great big list in the recruitment room.

Time will tell who ends up being the best buy."

"From our point of view we hope Brown ends up being a great signing for us.

"Whether Ulloa turns out to be one for Leicester I'm not really too interested in - it's ours that are my focus.

"You just want them to do a great job for us and if they do that we will be delighted - then it is OK for someone else's players to do well for them too."