Richard Carpenter pledged today to prove the detractors wrong by bouncing back to peak fitness and form for Albion.

The long-serving midfielder is determined to show he can still be a force in League One next season after an injury-ravaged campaign in the Championship for the relegated Seagulls.

Carpenter, together with fellow stalwarts Charlie Oatway, Gary Hart and Guy Butters, has accepted a new one-year contract.

The former Gillingham, Fulham and Cardiff powerhouse admits he was not at his best last term after suffering a serious foot injury but he has been stung by criticism of the squad and manager Mark McGhee from fans.

Carpenter, 34 in September, said: "I take things very personally and this year I have probably taken more stick than I have done at any time in my career, not so much me personally but us as a team.

"I am a senior pro and we have all got to take responsibility but realistically it wasn't going to be our year, no matter how hard we tried.

"When you look at the squad as it was this time last year, being in a division getting stronger all the time, we were always going to be down there. That is the nature of the position we are in as a club.

"People might think that is a negative attitude but those are the facts. It's unjust to blame the manager - Sheffield Wednesday strengthened their squad with six new players.

"It caught up with us - the squad being smaller and the injuries we had. League One is a hard division as well but more realistic for us."

Carpenter and his regular sidekick Oatway face fresh competition from youth team product Scott Chamberlain, who has signed a two-year professional contract.

They are certain to be key figures in the centre of the park for Albion again next term in their seventh season together, with young challenger Alexis Nicolas among the out-of-contract players released.

Their partnership was interrupted in the Championship, a ruptured main tendon in the sole of his right foot sidelining Carpenter for over two months before he was rushed back to replace broken ankle victim Oatway.

"The foot caused me a lot of trouble over the season," Carpenter said. "At the time I didn't realise how serious the injury was.

"Malcolm Stuart (physio) said he had never come across an injury like it in football before. It was sore and I had to wear special insoles.

"The gaffer asked me if I wanted to play and I said I wasn't ready, then Charlie broke his ankle and it all changed from there.

"That shaped most of my season. I couldn't quite get the consistency back I showed in recent years.

"We missed Charlie because of the character he is. It was a frustrating year all-round with injuries and I've just had another hernia op but you come back stronger.

"The long break will do me good, allow me to put my feet up and recharge the batteries. You don't become a bad player overnight.

"I feel good, I have been in the gym at home and running and the foot feels okay. I still love playing football and I am aiming to come back fit, strong and refreshed.

"We have got the players to more than hold our own in League One. It's going to tough but not beyond us.

"We have got to learn from the likes of Gillingham. They came down, struggled, then put a good run together and almost reached the play-offs."