Paddy McCourt could be the next of Albion’s summer signings to leave the club.

The Northern Ireland international spent time in Asia during the transfer window trying to sort out his future.

McCourt, 31, is still with the Seagulls and manager Chris Hughton says he is still “very much part of the squad”.

The former Barnsley playmaker joined Albion in August on a one-year deal but has not started a game in the Championship. He made the last of his 13 appearances as a late substitute against Reading on Boxing Day at the Amex.

Hughton told The Argus: “He hasn’t been given the involvement that he would have liked, I think even pre my time coming here. So we have been very flexible with Paddy and it’s trying to determine the best thing to do for both parties.

“But he’s a player that is still very much part of the squad. He has an ability and if that saw him leaving in the window it would have been because it was good for both parties, more so him because he’s a good lad.

“He’s never been a problem and he's a good player but he hasn’t had the minutes that he would like. We are delighted for him to still be here in the squad and fighting for a place.”

Two of Albion’s summer signings, Nzuzi Toko and Adrian Colunga, departed last month. Toko cancelled his contract by mutual consent for a move to Turkey and Colunga has gone back to Spain on loan to Granada with a view to a permanent switch.