Hope Powell is ready to start planning for the elite.

Albion Women suffered a harsh 3-0 defeat at home to Millwall with a changed line-up to close their WSL2 season.

It was their final match at Culver Road, before moving to their new home at Crawley.

And it was their last game ahead of stepping up to join Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and the like in the top tier.

Albion were already assured of runner-up spot in their debut season in the second tier before yesterday’s game.

But the challenge gets even tougher ahead of their return to training on July 1.

Albion need to confirm which of their current squad will stay for the transition to full-time football and there will also be carefully judged signings.

Powell, the former England boss brought in last year with top-tier football in mind, told The Argus: “We have room to bring players in. We want the right type of player.

“I think the culture of Brighton and the values of Brighton are in a certain way and we want players that fulfil those values and will live those values throughout the club. I think that is really important.

“I think the girls have gelled quite nicely, even with the new players who have come in.

“We want that to continue. If it is a happy group of players, we will get more out of them.

“There are decisions to be made and those decisions will be made next week.”

Powell suggested fans should not expect to see big WSL names heading south.

She added: “We are looking to recruit. Some of the more established players are established at those bigger clubs.

“I am quite keen to get younger players in, perhaps, to embed the culture and the philosophy of Brighton.

“We are not awash with money so we have to be sensible in our judgement of the players we try and bring in.

“Of course, we might go for players and they might not want to come.”

Powell is under no illusions as the challenge ahead.

She added: “You have to remember these teams in WSL1 have been full-time for a while.

“I know there is a divide between the best in WSL1 and the rest, if you like.

“But, at the top of the tree, they have all been full-time for a number of years.

“They are experienced in WSL1, playing at the highest level.

“The pace is a lot quicker, the power and the strength are a lot better.”

Asked whether the switch from part-time to professional status could be a stumbling block for some players, Powell said: “It may well be. They have decisions to make as well as us.

“We are not awash with cash and some of them have very good careers and they have big decisions to make.”

Albion trailed to a well-taken volley by Rianna Dean on 15 minutes for Millwall, who needed the win to make sure of third place.

The hosts improved after the break and twice went close to levelling.

Kate Natkiel had a shot grabbed in the top corner by Sarah Quantrill after brilliant work from Dani Buet.

And Quantrill dived to her left to make a superb stop from Jenna Legg’s 25-yarder.

Albion had their own escapes, including a super double-save by teenage goalkeeper Laura Hartley.

There was no chance for Hartley in the last ten minutes when Ashlee Hincks looped one in from outside the box and Ella Rutherford added an overhead kick.

Powell gathered her players around her on the pitch after the game.

Natkiel, who offered Albion’s greatest threat wide on the right, said: “The message was to take pride in what we have done this season.”

Albion: Gillett; Rafferty, Buet, Gibbons; Natkiel, Barton, Legg, Peplow, Somes (Thomas 52); Pharoah, Whelan.