The revolving door at The Hawthorns has been rotating furiously as Bryan Robson casts his net far and wide to try to bolster his squad for the relegation run-in.

Williams Guillermo Martinez is expected to finalise his loan deal - worth e3 million (£2 million) today from Defensor, of Uruguay, which will confirm his eligibility for Saturday's home Premiership fixture with Blackburn Rovers.

The Albion manager has tracked the 23-year-old centre-half for three months and although he is working on recommendation and video evidence, he considers it to be a calculated gamble on a loan basis.

The Uruguayan Under-21 international broke into the full national squad last year and is a robust defender who has been cautioned 11 times and been sent off once for his league club this season.

He will add bite to a backline that has lost the services of Darren Moore (to Derby) and Riccardo Scimeca (Cardiff) during the transfer window.

If he passes his medical the deal will be for an initial loan period with the option of a permanent signing in the summer.

Robson is also in negotiations with Nigel Quashie to bring the Southampton midfielder to Albion on either a loan or permanent basis after adding Jan Kozak to his squad last week.

If the deal is only temporary, that could well signal the temporary exit of Richard Chaplow in the opposite direction with the young midfielder moving to St. Mary's Stadium on loan.

Geoff Horsfield could also be on his way next month when Diomansy Kamara and Kanu return from the African Natons' Cup with Sheffield United favourites to clinch the signing of the experienced striker, initially on a loan basis.

However, Robson has informed Rob Earnshaw that he will be staying at The Hawthorns, after talks with Southampton proved fruitless and Norwich baulked at meeting the asking price.

Although Albion had not completed a deal by last night, Robson was optimistic that Martinez and Quashie would be in his plans for the weekend.

"Martinez is a real no-nonsense defender," an enthusiastic Robson said.

"He is already captain of his club and has been part of the Uruguayan squad as well as playing for the Under-21s.

"He hasn't got the presence of Ugo [Ehiogu, of Middlesbrough, and a previous Albion target] and isn't as dominant in the air but is far quicker and a good user of the ball.

"Not only is he a physical player but he also possesses a good tech-nique. He is regarded as their free-kick specialist, which give you some idea of what he is like.

"I have spoken to Daniel Fonseca and he insists he is the best young player in Uruguay with good attributes but only time will tell."

Any fears that Martinez would have failed to meet the UK work permit criteria have been allayed as he is in possession of an Italian passport.

Robson would have no qualms about throwing Martinez straight into first-team action alongside Curtis Davies, despite his tender years. He said: "You would always prefer to have an experienced one alongside a youngster but if they are good then it doesn't matter what their age is. Curtis Davies has proved that.

"If he is anywhere near as good as Curtis I will be quite happy."

Robson also praised the qualities of Quashie before his impending arrival.

"I have always thought Nigel is a very intelligent player," Robson said. "He is a very good passer with good stamina and will definitely improve our squad.

"With Scimeca and Lloyd Dyer's departure, this will give us more options in midfield as we try to improve our squad.