David Weir wants to help bridge the widening gap between under-23s football and the first team in his new role as Albion's loan arranger.

The former Glasgow Rangers, Everton and Scotland defender was appointed on Monday as the club's first ever pathway development manager.

He will oversee the players sent out by the Seagulls to other clubs on a temporary basis.

Weir, 48, (below) said: "I've always enjoyed working with younger players and my job, along with other staff, will be determining where and when players will go out on loan.

The Argus: "The gap between the first team and under-23 football in particular is getting bigger and that gap can be bridged somewhat by sending players out on loan.

"The game is always changing and I would say the Premier League is more of a world league now with more players arriving from all across the globe.

"It is constantly changing, but you can't get away from the basics and a lot of the same principles apply.

"It may be more challenging for younger players to break into the first team, but the opportunities are still there.”