ALBION boss Chris Hughton admits he is facing a difficult decision over the future of Steve Sidwell.

The 35-year-old midfielder has not featured this season following back and ankle operations.

Hopes of him returning before the end of the campaign are fading, with Hughton revealing he will “still be a while in his rehab”.

Sidwell is out of contract in the summer, together with goalkeepers Tim Krul and Niki Maenpaa and defenders Liam Rosenior and Uwe Huenemeier.

Hughton told The Argus: “Unless it’s obvious - and you do get some obvious situations when somebody is at the end of a contract - most decisions are difficult decisions.

“I’ve had them here. People like Andrew Crofts, Gordon Greer and Calde (Inigo Calderon), players coming towards the end of their careers but who still have good value in them, are still good around the place and still have a good level of ability.

“They are always very difficult ones and Steve Sidwell will be no different.”