Albion boss Chris Hughton admits he will be glad to see the back of the emergency loans system.

But he is fearful of the impact it will have on clubs lower down the food chain.

The loan window launches today and stays open until March 24. It is the last of its kind before the system is abolished.

Hughton exploited the penultimate loan window last year, borrowing James Wilson from Manchester United and Rajiv van La Parra from Wolves.

He also used it for temporary moves away for Jake Forster-Caskey (MK Dons), Christian Walton (Plymouth) and Adam Chicksen (Leyton Orient).

More ins and outs are likely in the current window. Albion still want to sign another striker and Hughton has already revealed the possibility of further loan stints for Walton and Luton target Glen Rea.

He is, however, on balance opposed to the instability the loan windows create.

Hughton told The Argus: “I’m probably glad to see the back of it but it’s easy for Premier League and Championship teams to think that way.

“There are a lot of teams in the second and first divisions that absolutely rely on the market.

“It certainly helps in some ways on short-term loans, because there are tough decisions you have to make from (permanent) window to window. It gives that young player an opportunity to go for a two or three-month period.

“The part of me that is not such a fan is if it forces clubs and individuals to make good and strong decisions in that summer or Christmas period then I think ultimately it will be better for the game.”

Albion’s under-21s face Everton at Southport tonight in the last 16 of the League Cup (7pm).