BOSS Chris Hughton says he is not frustrated by Albion’s slow progress in the transfer market.

He accepts the Seagulls cannot yet compete financially with more established clubs in the Premier League.

Albion have so far signed German No.10 Pascal Gross and Australian international goalkeeper Maty Ryan.

Hughton, speaking at the club’s training camp in Austria, said: “Some teams haven’t brought any players in. We also have to remember we finished last season with a good squad.

“We didn’t have four or five loans that we’ve got to replace or, like the season before, three or four players that were out of contract and that we needed to replace.

“It’s been a good pre-season so far. The feeling’s good. We are not even a week-and-a-half into pre-season, there’s still a long way to go.

“We have to do what are the right deals for the club. This club is not at the levels yet that we can go out and spend big, big money, the sort of money that clubs that have been in the division for many years would now be paying.

“We are not that level of club yet, so we have to work hard together.

“We know which players we can get and which players are out of our limits. Recruitment is always a tough one.”

Albion remain interested in Ingolstadt’s Austrian international left-back Markus Suttner and loan deals for versatile young Liverpool defender Joe Gomez and Chelsea attacker Izzy Brown, although signings are not thought to be imminent.

Hughton said: “Suttner would be one of a few players that interest us, but he is somebody else’s player.

“Gomez is a player that we are definitely interested. He is a Liverpool player and it will be their decision whether they keep him there or allow him to go out on loan.

“Izzy Brown is also one of many players that we would have an interest in. At the moment it’s no more than that.”

Meanwhile, Albion fringe players Kazenga LuaLua, Rohan Ince, Richie Towell and Rob Hunt are all destined to join Portsmouth or Wigan-bound Christian Walton as loan departures.