Boss Chris Hughton says there are no guarantees Albion will sign a striker in the January transfer window.

The only blot on the Seagulls’ strong summer transfer window business was missing out on another forward.

They could have just three available again against Wolves at the Amex tonight, including fringe Dutchman Elvis Manu, with Tomer Hemed touch-and-go due to thigh trouble.

Hughton told The Argus: “It is in the forward areas we felt we needed more competition. Elvis has certainly done better but it’s been a difficult period.

“I never like to say vulnerable, because we are adaptable. We have players in Anthony Knockaert and Jamie Murphy who we know can play off the front but it is the area we did try to bring in.

“It’s an area we will continue to look at but it is the most difficult of positions. The club and the recruitment department could not have worked any harder than they did to address it.”

Hughton is upbeat about the first quarter of the season, despite the late loss of two points at home to Preston on Saturday.

He said: “We must remember we are on the back of what felt like a defeat but wasn’t a defeat and in the game before at Sheffield Wednesday a win probably as good as any since I’ve been at the club.

“It’s certainly not doom and gloom. At this moment we are fourth in the table, after a win at Sheffield Wednesday who went to Huddersfield on Sunday and won.

“There are far more positives at this moment than there are negatives but we will look for a response because it’s another home game and we felt we have dropped two points. This league is all about reacting because the games come so thick and fast.”