Albion manager Mark McGhee hopes to add more new signings to his squad for Saturday's trip to Sheffield United after completing the capture of Hastings' midfield prospect Doug Loft.

Coach Dean White watched a striker from the British Isles McGhee has targeted on Saturday, while the Seagulls were upsetting Leeds 2-1 at Withdean.

Another forward McGhee wanted from eastern Europe could be joining a Championship rival and the deal to bring former loan keeper Wayne Henderson back to the club permanently from Aston Villa is dead unless his agent relents with his demands.

The signing of Loft, first revealed in last Thursday's Argus, was sealed just before the Leeds game. Watched by his parents, Loft put pen to paper on an 18-month contract following a successful trial and appearance in the reserves last week.

McGhee said: "He's an energetic central midfield player who looks to get a goal. In the two weeks he's been training with us I think he's had more shots than the entire squad!

"He can shoot with both feet, he's a good footballer, has fantastic fitness and energy and looks to have a chance so we have given him 18 months to prove to us he can be a player."

The un-named Polish front man McGhee has missed out on is thought to have been offered a trial by Derby.

"We are at the bottom of the food chain," he said. "Some players we fancied are going to other clubs for all sorts of reasons but there are two or three in the pipeline we maybe can afford and if we can persuade them to come then we could see some new faces at Sheffield United."

Gary Hart, forming another improvised strike force with Seb Carole, hit Albion's late winner against Leeds from a cross by opening goalscorer Paul Reid.

Reid, also responsible for conceding Leeds' controversial equalising penalty, believes his return to the starting line-up as a right-sided midfielder will enhance his hopes of a call-up to the Australian World Cup squad.

The Sydney-born utility player said: "I thought the chances of me getting in were slim playing at rightback. I've got more of a chance playing in midfield but I'm more interesting in helping Brighton avoid relegation at this stage."

McGhee said: "I've managed Lucas Neill so I know the quality of the Australian players. I think Reidy is good enough. Whether there is enough room for him in the squad when they have guys like Lucas I don't know but I think he does have the ability to play at that level."

Albion's fifth victory of the season moved them back out of the bottom three. "That is very significant," McGhee said. "There was a cheer in the dressing room. We know we have just clawed our way out of it but we are keeping our head above water and if the season finished now we would be staying up so we have got to try to keep hanging in there."

Leicester's 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday meant they dropped into the bottom three.