West Brom are close to sealing a permanent deal for Egypt defender Ahmed Hegazi.

The Baggies are ready to activate a £4.5million clause to buy the 26-year-old, who is on loan from Al Ahly, next month.

Hegazi has impressed since joining from the Egyptian Premier League champions in July and has been linked with Liverpool.

Boss Alan Pardew said: “We’re pretty much down the road on that one.

“I can’t confirm anything but if we can then we’ll do that. He’s been brilliant for me.

“I’ve only been here for three games but he’s been terrific. He has fantastic attributes as a centre-half and I think he’s learning.

“Sometimes he gets a bit too tight but he’s learning to keep his distance. He’s been excellent.”

Albion host Manchester United on Sunday after a 0-0 draw at Liverpool on Wednesday lifted them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

The point still leaves a club record run of 16 games without a win but Pardew believes they have gained momentum from Anfield.

“I’m not sure there’s many teams that would have got a clean sheet at Liverpool particularly with the strikeforce they put out,” he said.

Hegazi helped West Brom to a clean sheet against Liverpool.

“Every game that’s how we’ve got to enter it. We might struggle to get seven, eight or nine wins we need, so we need to pick up points everywhere and that was a great point.”

Matt Phillips is close to a return but may still miss out with a hamstring injury along with Craig Dawson (knee) but Gareth Barry is fit again after a thigh problem.

Nacer Chadli (hip) and James Morrison (Achilles) remain out for Pardew.

He added: “We’ll make this clear, I’m going to give you no clues about what I’m going to do. One thing I know about Jose (Mourinho) is his mastery of the opposition is something that I want to get away from.

“I want to give him as few clues as I can, he’s the best manager in the world at subduing a team and therefore he will find it less difficult.”