BOSS Chris Hughton hopes Jurgen Locadia can stretch Albion’s stay in the Premier League – by extending rival defences.

The £14 million record buy from PSV Eindhoven was introduced to the crowd (pictured) before the 4-0 defeat by Chelsea at the Amex, the Seagulls’ ninth blank in a run of one win in 13 games.

Locadia will not be fit from a hamstring injury for Albion’s next league match at fellow strugglers Southampton on January 31.

That launches a run of more key fixtures against West Ham, Stoke and Swansea.

Hughton told The Argus: “He is probably going to take two or three weeks to get up to speed and fit but we have found it difficult to get goals.

“We are not a team that has the ability in central positions to stretch beyond. If I am looking at (Tomer) Hemed and (Glenn) Murray that have played the majority of games - Sam Baldock is a little bit different - they are classic number nines.

“What Jurgen will give us is hopefully that ability to stretch teams. He’s been in good form this season.

“The levels will be completely different but we just hope he can take some of that good form into what he sees here.”

Hughton admits there are no guarantees Locadia can reproduce his prolific credentials in Eredivise, where he has scored nine goals in 15 games with six assists this season, but he is encouraged by former PSV team-mate Davy Propper’s successful switch to the top flight in England.

“The answer is we don’t know, that applies to every player,” Hughton said. “We brought Davy Propper in at the start of the season from the same club and he has settled in very well and his level of performance has been good.

“But these are always the questions. We want him to provide a platform for us to be able to score more goals, to stretch teams, to be able to show the form he has showed this season into this division.

“But that’s always the question. This is the hardest division I think there is, with some wonderful teams and good defences. But that’s the reason why we brought him in, to make a difference, and we hope he does.”