ALBION have rejected a fourth bid from Burnley for midfielder Dale Stephens.

The latest offer was made over the weekend as Stephens returned to the squad as an unused substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle.

The bid, believed to be in the region of £5.5 million, was turned down flat again by the Seagulls.

They remain resolute in their determination to to keep hold of Stephens, Anthony Knockaert and Lewis Dunk before the transfer window shuts on Wednesday night.

‘Not for sale’ signs have been slapped on Stephens, Newcastle target Knockaert and Dunk, who attracted interest from Crystal Palace earlier in the summer.

It would require offers impossible to refuse to change the situation in the final 72 hours of trading as Albion attempt to mount another promotion push.

Boss Chris Hughton still wants to add a striker to his squad following the first defeat of the season.

He told The Argus: “We’re still looking to bring one in and hopefully we can do it. That would be it then.”

Fringe players Rohan Ince and Elvis Manu could be loaned out again if the end of the window goes according to plan. Hughton confirmed: “We would think about Incey, possibly, if there’s that opportunity and Elvis.”

Sam Baldock is suspended for Albion’s next game at home to Brentford on September 10 following the first red card of his career on Tyneside.

The striker had already been booked when he received a second yellow card for a foul on keeper Matz Sels.

Hughton said: “I feel for him a little bit, because I don’t think the second one was a booking. If anything the goalkeeper ended up kicking Sam.”

Albion go into the international break in eighth. Newcastle moved above them into fourth thanks to a header from skipper Jamaal Lascelles and free-kick by Jonjo Shelvey.