Albion have knocked back a FIFTH bid from Burnley for midfielder Dale Stephens worth over £7 million.

And they have told one of the clubs that pipped them to promotion last season not to bother coming back with another offer before the transfer window closes tomorrow night.

The Argus exclusively revealed yesterday that Albion had rejected a fourth bid from Burnley for Stephens.

Turning down the latest offer, which with additonal clauses amounts to a package in excess of £7 million for a player out of contract next summer, has emphasised again the determination of chairman Tony Bloom to keep hold of the Seagulls' best players in pursuit of promotion to the Premier League.

Stephens returned to the squad as an unused substitute for Saturday's defeat at Newcastle. Manager Chris Hughton left him out previously to catch up with fitness after he missed matches in pre-season and at the start of the season proper through injury and suspension.

Stephens has been unsettled by the speculation surrounding his future but Hughton stressed recently his attitude has remained exemplary and Albion have no concerns about his continuing commitment to the cause.

Meanwhile, Albion could borrow West Brom's out-of-favour Belgian defender Sebastien Pocognoli as left-back cover and competition.

The Argus: The Seagulls, linked with the 29-year-old earlier in the transfer window, are currently down to two senior full-backs in skipper Bruno and Gaetan Bong (above), with the versatile Liam Rosenior sidelined by ankle damage.