ALBION boss Brian Horton has been urged to stay by his most expensive signing.

No official approach has been made for Horton by his old club Port Vale, although sources in the Potteries believe he is top of the First Division strugglers' wanted list.

Rod Thomas, the Seagulls' injured winger, said: "He is a well-known figure in football, so there is always going to be speculation. But it would be sad to see him go.

"He's hard but fair and he says it how he sees it. Nobody is under any illusions about what he wants. You have to give 110 per cent every time, which is good.

"He doesn't like losing and he brings that out in his management. You can talk to him as well if you have a view on certain things, which all the players appreciate."

Thomas, bought from Chester for £25,000 in October, is concerned that uncertainty over Horton's future could undermine Albion's promotion push.

"He is just getting things together," added the former Watford wonder kid. "It's unfortunate with the situation we are in, playing well and picking up in the League.

"There was a bit of bickering on the training ground when I first came here, but we are a lot more together now.

"Everyone is on a high at the moment and playing for one another. That is the reason we are doing so well and he has installed that."

Horton saw Scarborough, Albion's opponents at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday, against Wigan last night.

The players have a day off today and he is watching two more matches before putting them through their paces again in training tomorrow.

He said: "As far as I'm concerned it's business as normal."

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