Albion defender Robbie Pethick has guaranteed his immediate future at the club by making a significant contribution to the First Division survival bid.

He is automatically entitled to a new one-year contract after featuring in more than half of the Seagulls' League games this season.

The clause was included in Pethick's current two-year deal, which expires in the summer.

He needed to play in 23 matches and his return from back trouble to the team for last week's derby draw against Crystal Palace was his 26th appearance of the season.

Pethick's comeback as a substitute for injured skipper Danny Cullip also brought up a half-century of League outings for the club since his Bosman free transfer move from Bristol Rovers.

"It's a great relief," he said. "You obviously want to be financially secure for the family. I'd like another year on top, but I've only got one at the moment.

"It's written in my contract that I have to play half the games, which gives you something to aim for. I would have liked to have played in all of them, but it's there for you to do it.

"Some players don't really want to play, but at the end of the day I want to play football for as long as I can."

The future of Pethick's former Portsmouth team-mate Guy Butters is less assured.

The centre half is still under contract next season, but he has been out of favour since Steve Coppell took charge and is currently on loan to Conference outfit Barnet.

Butters said: "I've got a year left and I don't know what is happening in the summer. I don't know if the gaffer is staying.

"I'll have to see what happens pre-season, who is around and where I stand. I'm quite happy here.

"The team is playing well at the moment so it's hard to get in, but who knows? A few injuries and anything can happen."

The list of players out of contract in the summer is headed by key trio Simon Rodger, Dean Blackwell and Dave Beasant.

It also includes Paul Kitson, John Piercy, Shaun Wilkinson, Will Packham, Daniel Marney, Adam Virgo and club captain Paul Rogers.

Sheffield Wednesday missed the chance to signficantly close the gap on their relegation rivals when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Watford on Saturday, Danny Maddix getting a last minute equaliser for the Owls.