Albion transfer target Matt Sparrow has been hailed as a perfect replacement for Andrew Crofts.

The Seagulls are close to signing Sparrow after the long-serving Scunthorpe midfielder rejected a new contract with the Championship club.

Boss Gus Poyet is keen to strengthen the midfield following skipper Crofts’ move to Norwich and Dave Prutton’s decision to sign for Swindon instead of Albion.

Crofts was noted for his energy and fitness. Sparrow, 28, fits the same criteria, according to Scunthorpe assistant Andy Crosby.

The former Albion defender revealed to The Argus: “One of his biggest strengths is his fitness levels. He is unbelievable, one of the fittest I have ever seen.

“He can run all day. His best position is centrally and he uses his energy to get from box to box.

“He has been a great servant for Scunthorpe and he is a good lad. We obviously didn’t want him to go but he has decided for what ever reason to seek pastures new.

“If he does go to Brighton he will do really well at that level. He can score goals as well – he popped up with a few important ones for us.”

Wembley-born Sparrow scored 41 times in 396 games during an eleven-year and three promotions career with Scunthorpe, his only club.

Two of his goals came in the League One play-off final victory over Millwall at Wembley in May 2009 and he also netted the equaliser against Reading at the end of last season which kept Scunthorpe in the Championship.

The Argus understands Sparrow is one of three players the Seagulls are hoping to conclude deals with by the time the players report back on Monday for pre-season training.

His looming switch is unrelated to Scunthorpe’s interest in re-signing Albion left-back Jimmy McNulty, who had a spell on loan at Glanford Park last season.