John Boy
Paul McShane
Albion manager Mark McGhee has lost out to his close friend Gordon Strachan in a bid to sign Dion Dublin.
Dublin has joined Strachan's Celtic for the rest of the season after having his contract with the Seagulls' fellow Championship strugglers Leicester terminated by mutual consent.
Dublin is not the only well-known player McGhee has missed out on in his hunt for an experienced target man.
The Argus can reveal Albion also made a bid for Sheffield United's Neil Shipperley, as well as asking about the availability of Tottenham's Grzegorz Rasiak and Danny Dichio of Preston.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls' hopes of landing two less experienced strikers before the transfer window shuts tonight have been held up.
They were still locked in negotiations last night to resolve a permanent deal for a player who has been at a League One club. A loan agreement for the other player has been delayed due to injury problems at his Premiership club.
McGhee will exploit a Football League inspired loophole in the transfer regulations to pursue his interest in loan signings beyond the midnight deadline.
The League's resistance to the August and January transfer window system imposed by FIFA allows for ëemergency' (short-term) loans once the window closes.
McGhee plans to make the most of the situation to add not only his forward target but other new faces to his relegation-threatened squad.
He has made no secret of his desire to sign both a leftback and midfielder and he will still have the opportunity after tonight to bring in players on loans lasting a maximum of 93 days, although they can only be signed between February 7 and the customary transfer deadline on March 23.
The February 7 starting point is due to a seven-day ëcooling off' period after the January window.
Tonight's Withdean opponents Burnley are trying to hold onto their highly rated manager Steve Cotterill. They rejected an approach yesterday from Leicester, where Cotterill had a spell as coach under ex-Seagulls boss Micky Adams.
McGhee thinks Cotterill, a loan player with Albion during his centre forward days, should stay put.
He said: "Steve seems to be one of these managers who gets linked with practically every job going. I think he's done a good job and I don't know why he would leave at this stage. Burnley are a big club with a terrific base of support."
Cotterill, upset by the £1.75 million sale of leading marksman Ade Akinbiyi to Sheffield United last week, signed Michael Ricketts yesterday on loan from Leeds until the end of the season.
McGhee is relieved that Akinbiyi, on target against Albion for Burnley and Stoke last term, is no longer spearheading the visitors' attack.
"He's gone because he is one of their better players, if not their best player, this season," said McGhee. "When we play any team and their best players are missing it gives us a little bit more of a chance, so it's good that he's gone, but I still expect it to be a very difficult game.
"Steve knows about Withdean and he'll have no fears about bringing his team here."
Joe Gatting's chances of being involved tonight have been jeopardised by a calf muscle injury. The prolific youth and reserve team striker made his second senior appearance as a substitute in Albion's last outing at Sheffield United ten days ago.
Dublin has joined Strachan's Celtic for the rest of the season after having his contract with the Seagulls' fellow Championship strugglers Leicester terminated by mutual consent.
Dublin is not the only well-known player McGhee has missed out on in his hunt for an experienced target man.
The Argus can reveal Albion also made a bid for Sheffield United's Neil Shipperley, as well as asking about the availability of Tottenham's Grzegorz Rasiak and Danny Dichio of Preston.
Meanwhile, the Seagulls' hopes of landing two less experienced strikers before the transfer window shuts tonight have been held up.
They were still locked in negotiations last night to resolve a permanent deal for a player who has been at a League One club. A loan agreement for the other player has been delayed due to injury problems at his Premiership club.
McGhee will exploit a Football League inspired loophole in the transfer regulations to pursue his interest in loan signings beyond the midnight deadline.
The League's resistance to the August and January transfer window system imposed by FIFA allows for ëemergency' (short-term) loans once the window closes.
McGhee plans to make the most of the situation to add not only his forward target but other new faces to his relegation-threatened squad.
He has made no secret of his desire to sign both a leftback and midfielder and he will still have the opportunity after tonight to bring in players on loans lasting a maximum of 93 days, although they can only be signed between February 7 and the customary transfer deadline on March 23.
The February 7 starting point is due to a seven-day ëcooling off' period after the January window.
Tonight's Withdean opponents Burnley are trying to hold onto their highly rated manager Steve Cotterill. They rejected an approach yesterday from Leicester, where Cotterill had a spell as coach under ex-Seagulls boss Micky Adams.
McGhee thinks Cotterill, a loan player with Albion during his centre forward days, should stay put.
He said: "Steve seems to be one of these managers who gets linked with practically every job going. I think he's done a good job and I don't know why he would leave at this stage. Burnley are a big club with a terrific base of support."
Cotterill, upset by the £1.75 million sale of leading marksman Ade Akinbiyi to Sheffield United last week, signed Michael Ricketts yesterday on loan from Leeds until the end of the season.
McGhee is relieved that Akinbiyi, on target against Albion for Burnley and Stoke last term, is no longer spearheading the visitors' attack.
"He's gone because he is one of their better players, if not their best player, this season," said McGhee. "When we play any team and their best players are missing it gives us a little bit more of a chance, so it's good that he's gone, but I still expect it to be a very difficult game.
"Steve knows about Withdean and he'll have no fears about bringing his team here."
Joe Gatting's chances of being involved tonight have been jeopardised by a calf muscle injury. The prolific youth and reserve team striker made his second senior appearance as a substitute in Albion's last outing at Sheffield United ten days ago.
