Albion boss Chris Hughton has played down speculation surrounding the future of his No.1 David Stockdale.

The promoted Seagulls are still in new contract talks with the influential keeper and Hughton is optimistic Stockdale will be wearing the gloves again in the Premier League next season.

The 31-year-old Yorkshireman’s deal is up in June.

Chelsea were linked with Stockdale in January as a replacement for second choice Asmir Begovic.

The Premier League champions-elect reportedly remain keen, along with his home city club Leeds.

Stockdale, who has kept 20 of Albion’s 21 clean sheets this season and was runner-up to Anthony Knockaert for player of the year, is expected to stay.

Hughton told The Argus: “We certainly hope so.

“The situation is what it is. He is out of contract in the summer and talks are ongoing with him and his representatives.

“Around that it’s normal, any speculation is understandable.

“These are the things you have to work around. Our situation doesn’t change, the talks are very much ongoing.”

Resolving the goalkeeping situation and the left-back spot are priorities for Hughton in shaping his Premier League squad.

Stockdale’s understudy, Niki Maenpaa, is also out of contract, together with first-choice left-back Gaetan Bong, while Seb Pocognoli is nearing the end of a season-long loan from West Brom.

Hughton said: “It’s always ongoing. They are the decisions we have to make but I think we’re in a healthy position.

“Sometimes clubs can be in this position and have a lot of players out of contract at the end of the season.

“They are all things we’ve known for a while and will continue to work on.”

Albion’s recruitment drive for the top flight could include a repeat of season-long loans from Premier League clubs following Pocognoli’s successful move and the recapture from Bournemouth of 22-goal Glenn Murray, whose switch became permanent in January.

“We want to recruit and we know we have to recruit,” Hughton said. “We’ve got a lot of competition. I don’t see wholesale changes and I don’t see big numbers coming in but I’d like to think we can strengthen in areas.

“Whether some of that is a loan situation, if it is possible and it’s players that we want then it’s a very good option. Which ever way we do it, it’s ultimately about bringing in the levels that we want and the amount that we want.”