WEST BROMWICH ALBION are poised to rescue Carl Cort from his Newcastle United nightmare.

They could also give him the chance to dent Sunderland's promotion charge.

The Division One leaders are confident of capturing Cort on loan after their Carling Cup clash at St James' Park tomorrow.

Cort will celebrate his 26th birthday this Saturday - the day of Sunderland's Nationwide League trip to West Brom.

After just four minutes of Premiership action since April 2002, the £7m misfit could figure against the Black Cats at the weekend.

If West Brom fail to sign Cort, they are likely to turn their attentions towards Blackburn Rovers striker Dwight Yorke.

Meanwhile, former Newcastle manager Jim Smith has compared his former club with Arsenal after the Magpies' 3-0 win over Portsmouth on Saturday.

Smith, now Harry Redknapp's No 2 at Pompey, said: "I could hardly have been more impressed with Newcastle.

"On the day they were as good as Arsenal when we played them last month.

"Sir Bobby Robson has done a fantastic job at Newcastle and it goes without saying that I'm delighted for him.

"Newcastle overpowered and outran us in the first 20 minutes and we had no answer to their energy and positive running.

"Gary Speed is 34 but he was magnificent.

"In every other game we've played this season, we have dominated the possession - but because of Speed and the rest of the midfield, we had absolutely no possession."