Sam Baldock has been told playing out of position is better than not playing at all.

Albion boss Chris Hughton understands any frustration the £1.5million summer signing may be feeling after being asked to play in an unfamiliar role for the Seagulls.

Striker Baldock was last season’s top scorer with 24 goals for Bristol City while playing as a centre-forward with a partner.

But he has been largely deployed on the left of the attack by Albion, supporting a lone striker.

Baldock appears to be growing into the role and capped another fine display with his fourth goal of the season – and third in his last four home appearances – in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat of Leeds.

He labelled the way he has used been used by Albion as “strange” prior to the Leeds game.

Hughton, though, is pleased with his contribution to the team and says the player may just have to get used to it as Albion try to pull further clear of the Championship relegation zone.

The Seagulls boss said: “There are two qualities Sam has got that help him in that position. One, he is a striker so he can get into positions but he is also someone who works hard.

“The balance is very much that, yes, I can imagine the frustration but of course he is on the team sheet and if I’m looking at my period here he is on the team sheet far more often than he has not been on it.

“That is the balance. Sometimes as a player you have to accept that.”