Albion will make a renewed attempt to splash out on a younger centre-half in the summer, with Virgil van Dijk still high on their wish list.

Boss Gus Poyet remains keen to sign a central defender for next season on a long-term contract after bringing in Matthew Upson on loan at the end of the January transfer window.

Upson, borrowed from Stoke, is 33 and injured captain Gordon Greer will be the same age next season.

Albion ended up switching attention to a list of experienced, shorter term targets last week after failing with two substantial bids to capture van Dijk, the second believed to be around £2 million.

Groningen were desperate to keep hold of van Dijk to assist their fight against relegation from the Dutch First Division but are likely to let him leave in the summer.

Although the Seagulls will face competition from Premier League clubs for the highly-rated 21-year-old, the prospect of launching his career in England with a progressive Championship club, where he will have more chance of playing in the first team, appeals to van Dijk.

Poyet made a trip to Holland to watch van Dijk for himself before Albion made their second offer.

The manager’s determination to add to his squad a centre-half with his best years ahead of him was also emphasised by Albion’s interest in Birmingham’s Curtis Davies.

Poyet is an admirer of the 27-year-old but Birmingham fended off Norwich at the end of the January window with a £4 million asking price for high-earner Davies and the Seagulls see van Dijk as a more viable option.

Upson makes his home debut against third-placed Hull City at The Amex on Saturday (5.20pm).

Albion’s game at Barnsley, postponed on February 16 due to the Yorkshiremen’s involvement in the FA Cup, has been rearranged for Tuesday March 12 (7.45pm).

Last night’s Sussex Senior Cup tie against Lancing at Culver Road was postponed because of an unfit pitch.