BOSS Chris Hughton says Albion cannot compete in the transfer market with the Championship’s big spenders.

But he believes they can still challenge them on the pitch.

Newcastle have taken their spending to over £40 million on an overhaul of the squad since inflicting the Seagulls’ first defeat of the season on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez has splashed out a further £3 million apiece for Ipswich marksman Daryl Murphy and Palermo left-back Achraf Lazzar as Hughton aims for another striker to strengthen his squad before the window closes tomorrow night.

The Seagulls’ summer business would already be completed but for Norwich, another of the parachute-rich Premier League failures, hijacking a deal for Tottenham No.10 Alex Pritchard.

Aston Villa, the other relegated side, have also invested heavily in the quest to bounce back at the first attempt, while Derby have paid a reported £8 million for former Albion loan target Matej Vydra.

Hughton said: “We can’t compete with what Newcastle are doing, what Aston Villa are doing and others and the money they are spending.

“It is what it is. Mick McCarthy just missed out (with Ipswich) on the play-offs last season and got into the play-offs the season before on one of the smallest budgets, so it’s not all about transfer fees. But certainly what they’ve got at Newcastle helps.”

Hughton is seeking home comforts when eighth-placed Albion return to action after the international break with consecutive games at the Amex against Brentford and early table-toppers Huddersfield.

He said: “We have played three away games, two at home, so that does have a bearing. We can definitely do better than we have in the last two games (Newcastle and Reading away). I was delighted with the first three games (Derby away, Nottingham Forest and Rotherham home). I just think we needed to show more of what we can do to get a result.

“We start again with a home game and we need to get back to winning ways.”