Three Albion players did not miss a match in the Premier League last season, while three others missed no more than three games.

A repeat is unlikely in the Seagulls' second season in the top flight following eight summer signings so far.

One of them, South African Percy Tau, will be sent out on loan. The other seven could all have parts to play to varying degrees.

With the dangers of injury and suspension as well, Mathew Ryan, Lewis Dunk, Shane Duffy, Dale Stephens, Davy Propper and Pascal Gross will be hard-pressed to replicate their dominant appearance records.

Andy Naylor assesses the impact the new signings will have on Chris Hughton's steadily evolving squad.

GOALKEEPERS

Mathew Ryan played every minute last season. That will not happen this time.

Ryan is also firmly established as Australia's No.1, so barring accidents he will be on international duty in the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates in January.

Ryan's dependable form led to the departures of Tim Krul and Niki Maenpaa in search of more game time.

They will find it in the Championship. Krul has joined Norwich and Maenpaa is expected to sign for Bristol City after a successful trial.

Albion have replaced them with David Button from Fulham and former England under-21 Jason Steele from Sunderland.

They will be fighting to deputise for Ryan and to play in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.

Button is in the driving seat at the moment, with Steele sidelined during pre-season.

CENTRAL DEFENCE

Lewis Dunk played every game at the heart of the back four last season. Partner Shane Duffy missed just one, due to a ban for five bookings.

They will take some shifting, but it will be difficult to emulate those statistics.

Last season's back-ups, Connor Goldson and Uwe Huenemeier, have gone to Glasgow Rangers and back to Paderborn in Germany respectively.

Leon Balogun looks a high-quality replacement on a free transfer from Mainz.

The Nigerian international impressed for his country at the World Cup and is well-equipped to step in for Dunk or Duffy.

Albion are still trying to sign another central defender.

Reading's Liam Moore and Sheffield United's Jack O'Connell have been targets, but the asking price in both cases is prohibitive.

Spending heavily on essentially a third or fourth-choice central defender could be regarded as a waste of money, unless there is the potential for a high resale value.

FULL-BACK

Brazilian Bernardo will spice up the competition.

He has been bought from RB Leipzig primarily as a left-back ahead of Gaetan Bong (25 appearances last season).

The Argus: Bernardo (above) can also play at right-back, providing Hughton with increased flexibility.

As well as competing for the right-back spot with Ezequiel Schelotto, Bruno is capable of filling in at centre-back.

Markus Suttner, No.2 left-back last season (14 appearances) is also currently still in the mix.

The Austrian has been used in pre-season friendlies on the left-side of midfield.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

Yves Bissouma (below) is an intriguing addtion to the mix. The Mali international is by no means the finished article, but he is brimming with potential.

The Argus: He is athletic and likes to get forward. His arrival again widens Hughton's options in the engine room.

Dale Stephens made 36 appearances last season, Davy Propper 35.

They established an effective partnership, lacking only goals.

Not forgetting Beram Kayal as well, Hughton has more scope to switch between a two and three-man midfield.

Pascal Gross can operate in a deeper role too, although the vast majority of his 35 starts and three substitute appearances were as an intelligent, probing and influential No.10.

OUT WIDE

The £17 million record purchase of Alireza Jahanbakhsh gives Hughton an enviable range of options.

Right-wing is regarded as the Iranian's best position, so Anthony Knockaert (33 appearances last season) will need to be at his best.

Hughton can mix and match on both flanks between Jahanbakhsh, Knockaert, Jose Izquierdo (32 appearances) and Solly March (36). The latter's outings were split equally between starts and the bench.

It will be interesting to see how Izquierdo performs after the World Cup with Colombia and such a promising debut campaign.

UP FRONT

Having come so close to signing Florin Andone a year ago, Albion will be hoping for a boost to the goal threat with the capture of the Romanian from Deportivo La Coruna, especially away from home.

They scored 24 goals at the Amex, which was more than seven other teams managed at home. Just ten away was joint-lowest with relegated West Brom.

Andone is an all-round No.9 with a strong work ethic, capable of stretching defences by running in behind and operating in isolation or in a pair.

Hughton now has strikers in Andone, Jurgen Locadia and Glenn Murray who each offer something different.

With Gross pulling the strings, alternatives abound both from game-to-game and during games.