Friday 8 September 2017 23:55, UK
Tomer Hemed looked set to leave Brighton this summer but now finds himself given the task of kick-starting their season.
Hemed was linked with Reading, Derby and Leeds while Seagulls manager Chris Hughton tried desperately to bring in another striker.
But Tottenham's Vincent Janssen turned down a Deadline Day switch to the south coast and a move for Israel international Hemed failed to materialise.
Now, with Izzy Brown and Sam Baldock injured and Glenn Murray battling to overcome an ankle problem, Hemed looks set to spearhead Albion's attack against West Brom as they look for their first win - and first goal - of the Premier League campaign.
"He will have the same response as he always has," Hughton said.
"Tomer is a very genuine individual. He really enjoys being here and really enjoys being a Premier League player. He has always worked hard for this club and he will continue to do so.
"The one thing about speculation is that the players all hear it. Sometimes the players know more than we do!
"There aren't too many secrets and ultimately everybody just has to get on with it."
The boss would not be drawn on whether he felt Janssen had made a mistake by opting not to join his club.
The Dutch striker was subsequently left out of Tottenham's Champions League squad and loaned to Fenerbahce.
"I don't know what happened," Hughton added. "As most people would know, we tried to bring in strikers towards the end of the window.
"What is more important is that it wasn't to be, and it now gives the strikers we have got a really good opportunity to stake a claim to play.
"We will continue to assess where we are and what we need to bring in in January. Anything we feel we need to do, we will work hard to do."
