Albion manager Mark McGhee has revealed plans to make three loan signings to reinvigorate the stumbling Seagulls.

He has missed out on one Premiership target, but the hunt goes on ahead of the Scot's first home League game in charge against Bristol City on Saturday.

Albion have lost four of their last six matches, including Saturday's FA Cup exit at Third Division Lincoln.

They are still fourth in Division Two but McGhee believes three new players are needed to sustain a promotion challenge.

"I wasn't under any illusions when I came here," he said. "We are in a good position in the League but from what I had been told, even by the chairman never mind people who aren't at the club any longer, they had done well to be where they were.

"The squad needed strengthening if the expectations were going to be as high as to finish where they were prior to me coming here and that hasn't changed.

"I think we need three players to go into the team, both as competition and cover. Adam El-Abd's emergence gives us a third centre half, which is good.

"We need another midfield player. Robbie Pethick is playing in there at the moment.

"We need somebody else to sit in that area and we need another striker, even though the two boys up front are doing well, to pressurise for a position and bring a bit more experience.

"If there is a free transfer somewhere that would suit us then we will take it, but there are not going to be many free transfers around who are going to get you promoted, so the reality is we are looking at loans.

"I made a couple of calls yesterday about players, but sometimes it's about timing.

"There is a player that I quite fancy we could bring here but, because of circumstances at his own club, he will find himself if not playing then on the bench in a Premier League team. It's not right for him, so I've just got to keep looking."

Players on the fringes get a chance to force their way into the squad for the Bristol City match when the reserves go to McGhee's old club Millwall tomorrow (2pm).

"Places are up for grabs, certainly on the bench," he said. "I'm starting to have in my mind who the best 11 or 13 are from what I have seen and there are one or two more who can force themselves into the 14, 15 or 16, so there is definitely an opportunity for people."

McGhee has no plans to sign another goalkeeper as the back-related hamstring problem which ruled out Ben Roberts against Lincoln is only short-term.

Richard Carpenter avoided contact in training yesterday to protect a knock on the foot sustained in the defeat at Sincil Bank, but the midfielder is expected to be fit for Saturday.