Albion are in talks with Andrew Crofts about a new contract as they try to hold on to their influential captain.

They face a fight to retain the services of the Wales international midfielder, with promoted Norwich reportedly interested in taking him to Carrow Road for their first season back in the Championship.

Crofts is under contract until the end of next season, Albion’s last at Withdean.

The lure of a longer term deal for the move to Falmer, combined with continuing to lead the side being assembled by Gus Poyet for a League One promotion challenge next season, will be attractive to Crofts.

On the other side of the coin, the combative 25-year-old would be stepping up a division immediately, he will earn a lot more money with Norwich and Albion would make a healthy profit on a player signed by former boss Russell Slade a year ago on a free transfer from Gillingham.

Poyet said: “We have been talking to Crofty about his contract so we will see. We have been in contact with his agent for a while. I don’t know how it is going, because I haven’t talked about that.

“If Norwich really wanted to buy him it would be complicated but we’ll see, I don’t know.

“He’s my captain, the player of the year, and he has been an example to everyone. He has responded very well to everything.”

Poyet is not surprised that Crofts has caught the eye of the Canaries after seven goals in 50 appearances last season, which aided Albion’s steady climb away from relegation trouble in the second half of the campaign.

He is anticipating more summer transfer speculation involving other members of the squad, such as former Wolves winger Elliott Bennett.

The Albion boss said: “I wouldn't be surprised if people are interested in any of my players. If you analyse League One from January 1st to the end of the season, we were in the top seven in terms of points and if you analyse the last two months we were getting two points per game, which is the form of champions.

“Players get noticed very easily in a team playing like that so I am expecting plenty of offers for players during the summer.”

Meanwhile, Poyet could turn his attention back to Frenchman Romain Vincelot in the search for a right-back replacement for Inigo Calderon.

Vincelot, 24, had a trial with Albion in December before he joined Dagenham and Redbridge and Poyet swooped for Spaniard Calderon, who has been released after failing to meet a deadline to sign a new contract.

Poyet said: “He (Vincelot) did well and he is on our list but nothing more than that at the moment. I am not saying no but I’m not saying yes. It’s only a possibility but I haven’t been in touch with him or his agent.”

Poyet is currently in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires, scouting for new players and watching training sessions at clubs like Boca Juniors and River Plate as he continues to work towards his UEFA A pro coaching licence.