West Brom boss Tony Mowbray is resigned to being without latest signing Gianni Zuiverloon for the start of the Barclays Premier League campaign - but believes he can be a major asset at The Hawthorns.

The Dutch Under-21 international is required to play for his country in the Olympic Games in Beijing and will definitely be ruled out of the league opener with Arsenal.

Albion's £3.2 million capture from Herenveen could miss more games if Holland progress to the latter stages of the tournament. But Mowbray is convinced he will be a good acquisition although he may take time to adjust to the demands of the Premier League.

Mowbray said: "We will lose Gianni to the Olympic Games but we knew that from the very start. He's been in the Dutch team right through the build-up. How long he is away for depends on how well Holland do. He'll definitely miss the first game with Arsenal definitely - there could also be more.

"I first saw Gianni playing against us last year in a friendly for Herenveen. I liked his attributes and I had the opportunity to go and watch him three or four times live.

"I tend to buy assets in footballers and, when the chance came, we made an enquiry and I`m delighted he's joined us. Now I hope he can adjust to the Premier League very quickly. He's the right age, has the right athleticism, the right qualities on the ball. I'm confident he'll be a good acquisition."