Gary Dicker has revealed the part played by stricken former team-mate Jim McNulty in his deadline day move to Albion.

The central midfielder, signed on loan from cash-strapped Stockport for the rest of the season, has been in constant touch with McNulty about his move south.

McNulty, bought from County during the January transfer window, is recovering at home in Sussex from an operation to remove his right kidney after he was hurt in his fifth game for the Seagulls against Crewe.

Dicker, 22, said: “I have been on the phone non-stop for the last few days to Jim and he has been telling me all about the place and how good it is and the potential of the club.

“It always helps when you hear someone saying good things about the club you are going to. It makes the decision easier.”

Dubliner Dicker’s move from Edgeley Park for a nominal loan fee is also a case of second time lucky for Albion boss Russell Slade.

“Russell tried to sign me on loan when he was at Yeovil,” said the ex-Republic of Ireland under-21 international.

“That fell through but I have been in and out at Stockport and I jumped at the chance to come here and play.

“I think Brighton are good enough to get out of trouble and hopefully they will do that while I am here.”

Slade swooped after Dicker fell out with Stockport chief Jim Gannon, who last month turned down the chance to take charge of Albion.

“Gary is a very solid player,” Slade said. “He was instrumental in Stockport’s promotion last season and their recent success. He is a battling midfielder who understands the role.”

The signing of Dicker, from a list of targets which included Reading’s Jem Karacan and Cheltenham’s John Finnigan, formed part of a hectic climax to the loan transfer window for Albion.

Veteran Huddersfield centre half Chris Lucketti turned down a temporary move to Withdean, while David Livermore completed a one-month switch away from the Seagulls to Luton just before the 5pm deadline. “I would dearly have liked to bring in a centre back as well,” said Slade. “I was after Chris Lucketti.

“I just wanted somebody with a little bit of experience back there, a little bit of a leader. That was the only other area I was concerned about.

“It’s a question of priorities and I felt we needed to tighten up in midfield and possibly at the back, particularly with us losing Tommy Elphick and Matty Heath who are both suspended.”

Albion can only name five of their seven loan signings in the matchday squad, although Calvin Andrew is back at Crystal Palace for treatment on a long-term hamstring injury and Heath, banned for Tranmere’s visit tomorrow, ends his stint from Colchester with the next game at MK Dons on April 4.

It is unclear at this stage whether Dicker, bought by Stockport from University College Dublin after a six-month loan stint with Birmingham, will be allowed to play against his parent club in the last match of the season at Withdean in May.

“I am not too sure if I can play in that game or not,” he said. “There is nothing written into the contract that I have signed.”