When Albion made Craig Mackail-Smith their record signing four years ago, he was a square peg in a round hole.

Mackail-Smith thrived playing off another striker. He was not suited to Gus Poyet's 4-3-3 system.

James Wilson, on the other hand, is a perfect, potential-oozing fit for the 4-4-2 formation which has been the bedrock of Albion's promotion challenge under Chris Hughton.

The Manchester United prospect, asked by The Argus about his preferred role, said: "For me personally, I find it difficult to lead the line on my own.

"Being a young player and still developing, it's a difficult job to do, especially if you are at the top of the Championship.

"I think it will benefit me playing up front with someone else to work off. Hopefully we can get a good relationship and good understanding between us and take it onto the field."

So the scene is set. Wilson sees himself as the secondary striker, the position Sam Baldock was playing effectively in partnership with Tomer Hemed until sustaining thigh damage in the last home game against MK Dons.

Hughton, beset by injuries and illness, paired Bobby Zamora with Tomer Hemed in Sunday's creditable draw at Burnley.

It worked quite well, better than we might have expected, before Zamora went off in the second half, but Wilson with Zamora or Hemed looks better.

Zamora was one of the first to welcome the Staffordshire-born teenager when he arrived at the Lancing training complex yesterday morning.

An old and new alliance with the Albion legend, whose own game has developed with age from rangey young goalscorer to wily old target man, has an attractive feel to it.

But so too does Hemed and Wilson. Zamora, remember, has yet to complete 90 minutes.

The hard-working Hemed, still top scorer with five goals, has not hit the target since mid-September.

The Israeli's confidence has been drained by his drought. The arrival of Wilson could be just the tonic he needs to put a goalscoring spring back into his step.

Wilson is a high-quality addition to Hughton's striking options. His CV and the fierce competition for his services tell us that.

Manchester United do not nurture many duds. Premier League clubs desperate to avoid relegation wanted him, clubs as eager for promotion as Albion wanted him as well.

The Seagulls have got him for the rest of the season. They have got his youthful exuberance and enthusiasm, his ability and mobility, his eye for a goal.

Wilson, 20 on Tuesday, could come of age with Albion, just as Zamora did all those years ago. He looks a perfect fit.