Not that there were many additions to West Bromwich Albion's squad this past summer, but Jeremy Sarmiento was the first. The Brighton borrow arrived in late July, during Albion's pre-season campaign, but with a requirement for all concerned to be patient. The first sighting we caught of Sarmiento was as a 70th minute substitute at Blackburn on the opening day.

While Albion lost that game, there were things to like about Sarmiento, even then; still just 21, he was fearless with the ball at his feet, clearly eager to impress and make an impact and willing to try things - be that through his range of passing or through trickery and skill. Immediately, you thought, he could be a playmaker that'd raise supporters from their seats.

Sarmiento hit the back of the net for the first time in his senior career to ease late worries against Middlesbrough and the calls grew louder for more involvement. Why isn't Carlos Corberan selecting him from the start of matches? What is he meant to do with short cameos? It transpires that Albion were quite right to maintain patience and limit Sarmiento to minutes here and there, because after his first start - his first club start since February - he suffered a setback.

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“We knew that with Jeremy we’d have to treat a special situation, managing everything very well,” Corberan said of Sarmiento. “He was working very well, and as soon as he had more minutes, he suffered the injury. We need to be very focused when he’s ready to have the minutes, but as soon as a player is available it’s because he’s ready for minutes. After it’s my decision – to give more minutes from the start, or from the bench.”

Sarmiento made his comeback in the win over Hull and looked sharp in a short burst. It was a similar story at Southampton, when Corberan introduced him in the hope that the Ecuadorian might be able to produce some magic to unlock the Saints defence late in the day. It didn't materialise, but again Sarmiento caught the eye and ticked another box when it comes to the question of fitness.

Clearly, Albion could do with having Sarmiento available to them in the long run. The purpose of his loan, after all, was to secure minutes away from Brighton and Roberto De Zerbi challenged the playmaker to earn at least 35 matches away from the AMEX Stadium so that, when he returns, he'll be considered a genuine Premier League option. They also might be one attacker light by the time January arrives.

Grady Diangana, currently away with DR Congo who he committed his international future to earlier this season, is expected to be in the frame - based on previous breaks - for a call-up when The Leopards ready themselves to head out to the Ivory Coast in January and take part in AFCON 2023. Diangana has earned his international recognition having strung together a number of impressive displays since returning from a seven-month injury lay-off.

Indeed it's the most consistent run of performances that Albion supporters have enjoyed from Diangana, who appears to have rediscovered his swagger and who is importantly contributing in the final third, too. Provided that form continues through December and no injuries befall him, he can expect to take his leave in the New Year and represent his nation.

Sarmiento, who'll hopefully be reunited with John Swift and Josh Maja by that stage, and perhaps Daryl Dike too, will then become all the more important a figure as another option for Corberan in the wide areas and challenged to deliver with goals and assists in Diangana's absence. This run of games in the meantime, throughout gruelling December, will be key to building Sarmiento back up with a view to a more established role.

“That’s the target of the loan. If you analyse his minutes in this year, and in the year before, he couldn’t accumulate enough minutes," Corberan added. “The reason was the injury. We are making a specific plan to help him avoid this. From the medical staff, they are being the most pro-active they can be to avoid it. If one day we think it’s been too much, the next day we are going to compensate. His talent demands from us a special attention to detail to have him the most available as possible.”

What have you made of Sarmiento's loan spell with Albion so far?