One of the main priorities for Albion manager Chris Hughton in the summer transfer window is widening his midfield options.

For a period in their first season in the Premier League, the Seagulls were treading on thin ice.

Steve Sidwell was sidelined at the start by back surgery (a subsequent ankle injury then prevented him playing any part).

Beram Kayal broke a leg in the final friendly against Atletico Madrid and did not force his way back in until December.

The length of Kayal's absence was extended by the effective central midfield collaboration between Dale Stephens and Davy Propper, which sustained Albion throughout the campaign.

Hughton depended heavily not just on their form but their fitness as well.

If he had lost one of them in the first three months, Albion would have been in a bit of a hole.

Pascal Gross can play in central midfield but when he drops deeper his influence as an intelligent No.10 is sacrificed.

The Argus: More depth and variety is the goal, hence sustaining an interest in Danish international Thomas Delaney (above right) and the move for Sunderland's Paddy McNair.

Albion were keen on Delaney last summer but Werder Bremen resisted. They have tracked him for some time, since before he moved to Germany from Copenhagen.

He may be out of their reach again. Competition is fierce, both from within and outside Germany.

The asking price could also end up being prohibitive. Bremen know a good World Cup for Delaney with Denmark will intensify, and possibly expand, interest from bigger clubs than Albion. It would also add several million pounds to his value.

McNair, a different type of player to Delaney, is more immediately accessible. Albion will pursue their interest in the 23-year-old Northern Ireland international after an opening offer, reportedly around £2 million, was rejected by Sunderland.

McNair was man-of-the-match in Northern Ireland's 0-0 draw in the early hours yesterday morning in Panama, one of England's World Cup group opponents.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, he "produced a terrific performance with his surging runs, neat passing, strong tackles and combative nature.

"Paddy was constantly looking to get involved in the action and it's no surprise that he scored four goals in Sunderland's last five games.

"Paddy is so versatile, especially as a defender, but he's argued for sometime that he would like to be playing in midfield."

McNair (below), who helped Northern Ireland to the last 16 of the Euros two years ago and will be back in action for them against Costa Rica in San Jose on Sunday, is an attractive option because of his ability to multi-task.

The Argus: He started out as a midfielder with Ballyclare Colts before Manchester United converted him into a defender, using him in the Premier League four years ago both in the middle and at right-back.

Dexterity is useful in any squad and Albion are a little light in that respect, more so following the departure of Liam Rosenior.

McNair could not save Sunderland from a second successive relegation after 11 months out with a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament but he finished the season strongly.

He is a good age and his Premier League pedigree with both United and the ailing Black Cats adds to the attraction.

He also fits into the homegrown category - Premier League clubs must include in their squad of 25 eight players on the books of an FA-affiliated club for at least three years before they turn 21.

With Sidwell gone and McNair's Northern Ireland team-mate Oliver Norwood a likely departure too after his season-long loan with promoted Fulham, the burden on Stephens and Dutchman Propper as it stands is considerable.

The former took the step up in his composed and combative stride. The latter adapted with impressive rapidity from the more technical and less demanding Eredivisie.

More goals from midfield would help, another area where McNair has the capacity to assist.

Neither Stephens or Propper scored in the Premier League, although in fairness they were often more occupied with screening the defence than venturing forward into the opposition penalty area.

Stephens can contribute, as he has demonstrated in the past and against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Propper too showed an eye for goal in a more advanced role with the Netherlands.

The Argus: Albion tried to add McNair's former Manchester United colleague Nick Powell (above right) to their attacking options from Wigan in January after losing on-loan Izzy Brown to a knee injury.

The only team that stayed up scoring fewer goals than Albion were Huddersfield. Improving on the modest tally of 15 from other than Glenn Murray and Gross will be among the targets for Hughton's revamped choice of midfielders.