YORK City have signed striker Rob Elvins from Championship club West Brom in a one-month loan deal.

The Minstermen swooped for the 6ft 2in target man last night in an attempt to bolster their strikeforce as the midnight deadline for permanent signings closed.

City boss Billy McEwan had also hoped to bring in a centre-back yesterday but Elvins proved the only new arrival.

The 20-year-old striker is yet to be given a game in Albion's first team where international trio John Hartson, Kevin Phillips and Diomansy Kamara, as well as former Premiership frontman Nathan Ellington, are currently ahead of him in the pecking order.

But the young Throstle made his first-team debut while on loan at Cheltenham Town in September, coming on as a substitute during the League One side's 2-1 home victory over Huddersfield.

The Alvechurch-born forward went on to make four more appearances as a Robins replacement before returning to the Hawthorns, where he has been a reserve regular and played at KitKat Crescent against Leeds United in December.

About his latest loan signing, McEwan said: "I saw him play here and have watched him a few times. He's a big, strong lad with good feet who will be a good addition.

"He's training with the first-team squad at West Brom which proves he's got ability or he would be nowhere near those types of players. His chances have been limited there but I have spoken to (manager) Tony Mowbray and their coach Craig Shakespeare and they feel he will benefit from coming to us and it will help him progress.

"He will be in the squad for Saturday and it's ironic that the opposition will be Tamworth which is not far from home for him."

Elvins signed professional terms with the Baggies, then a Premier League club, in the summer of 2005 having scored ten goals for the reserves the previous season.

He was also prolific at junior level for the West Midlands club and, despite not yet making a senior start, was an unused substitute in last season's FA Cup replay at Reading.

Elvins becomes the second new striker to arrive at KitKat Crescent, following Richard Brodie's arrival on permanent terms yesterday.

City paid Newcastle Benfield a nominal fee for the 19-year-old, who has previously toured with Premiership club Bolton Wanderers, and have agreed to a pre-season friendly against the Northern League club in the summer.

But Brodie will have to wait at least one match to make his Minstermen debut as he is suspended for Saturday's home clash with Tamworth.

Former City loan striker Jon Newby has joined Conference strugglers Southport from Wrexham on a permanent deal after being at Haig Avenue on loan.