Alan Pardew watches Ali Gabr's first game in West Brom colours
Ali Gabr made his first appearance in Albion colours last night, featuring in a 2-0 defeat to Norwich City for the under-23s.
The Egyptian centre-back, who joined on loan from Zamalek in January, was watched by head coach Alan Pardew at Aggborough.
Gabr played 90 minutes alongside fellow senior squad members Allan Nyom and Sam Field, and had a headed goal disallowed in the first half.
Albion team-mate Alex Bradley also had a goal chalked off after two goals in six minutes from Norwich's Savvas Mourgos had put James Shan's side 2-0 behind.
Gabr was unavailable to play for the first three weeks of his Albion stay while his work permit was ratified in Egypt.
Albion paid Egyptian side Zamalek £438,000 to take the 29-year-old on loan until the end of the season and included in the deal is an option to buy him for £1.1m in the summer.
He was an unused substitute against Southampton on Saturday in the FA Cup fifth round defeat.
Winger Jonathan Leko, who has been recalled from his loan spell at Bristol City, also played 90 minutes against Norwich.
Oliver Burke was also due to play but had to pull out at the last minute as a precaution.
Albion are six points adrift at the bottom of Premier League 2 Division Two with eight points. They have only won two Premier League 2 games all season.
Albion U23s: Palmer, Nyom, Gabr, Jameson, Ferguson; Bradley (McCourt 82), Azaz (E Pierce 65) Harper, Field, Leko; Morton. Unused subs: B Pierce, Meredith, Brown.
