ALBION boss Chris Hughton says Danny Holla still has a part to play this season and is not heading for the exit like Adrian Colunga.

Spanish striker Colunga had his contract cancelled by mutual consent last week after drifting out of contention since Hughton took charge.

Dutch midfielder Holla, signed days before Colunga last August when Sami Hyypia was manager and David Burke head of football, has also struggled to make an impact.

The former Den Haag playmaker has not made a Championship appearance since April and has not featured in a matchday squad in the league this season, a pattern which is set to continue at Leeds tomorrow where Holla made an eyecatching debut for the Seagulls 14 months ago.

Hughton insists his plight is not the same as Colunga’s and that he is just the victim of fierce competition in the centre of the park.

Hughton told The Argus: “I think it’s different. Danny has trained very well, he’s very close.

“At this moment Dale Stephens and Beram (Kayal) have been available for every game.

“Jake (Forster-Caskey) has gone out to get games at MK Dons and I have three other midfield players that are all different types pushing for places.

“That’s Danny, Rohan Ince and Crofty (Andrew Crofts), who is fit and available now. He (Holla) is close, as are the other two.”

Lewis Dunk, preferred at centre-half to Uwe Huenemeier in the 1-1 home draw with Cardiff prior to the international break, is likely to keep his place in an unchanged line-up at Leeds.