Boss Chris Hughton will not rip apart the squad that has taken Albion to the Premier League.

He says there will not be "wholesale changes" as the Seagulls attempt to strike a balance between giving the players a chance that have got them promoted and strengthening the squad to be competitive in the top flight.

Central midfielders Dale Stephens and Steve Sidwell, goalkeeper David Stockdale and understudy Niki Maenpaa, and left-back Gaetan Bong are out of contract at the end of the season.

Hughton said: "We have got a very competitive squad that will all want an opportunity to play in the Premier League.

 

"I think what you are not able to do is make absolute wholesale changes. We know what has got us there and what's got us there is the spirit that we have and the quality that we have in the team.

"There will be some hard work that goes on with the recruitment department and trying to get the balances right.

"First and foremost we have a group of players that have excelled this season and that want to be involved.

"We have to respect that but also get the balances right. We want to be competitive in the division."

Head of recruitment Paul Winstanley has been on scouting missions across Europe in recent weeks as part of Plan A for Albion's summer transfer business, which kicks into place now they have secured promotion.

Meanwhile, the players return to training today in preparation for Friday night's visit to Hughton's old club Norwich, where a win will clinch the title.

Hughton said: "We've now got another challenge and we've got another three games to do it. But the big challenge is to win on Friday and do it early. That would be a wonderful achievement for this group of players."