Albion manager Mark McGhee has renewed his interest in Ian Evatt as a potential solution to the centre half crisis.

McGhee would like to bring Evatt to Withdean on loan from Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers to rescue the Seagulls from their pre-season injury woes.

Adam El-Abd is currently the only established central defender available for Albion's League One opener at Rotherham a week tomorrow.

Adam Hinshelwood (knee) and Guy Butters (back) are both out of the trip to Millmoor, while Joel Lynch and Kerry Mayo have also been struggling with injuries.

McGhee tried to sign Evatt, 24, as cover last summer when Hinshelwood was still sidelined by cruciate knee ligament damage.

Evatt moved to QPR instead from Chesterfield for £150,000 and the former Derby stopper went on to make 27 Championship appearances for Rangers last season.

Meanwhile, Albion are hoping Rob Hulse's £2.1 million move from Leeds to Sheffield United will improve their chances of landing long-time striker target Neil Shipperley.

The wealth of attacking options for Neil Warnock at Brammall Lane mean Shipperley is unlikely to see any Premiership action with the promoted Blades.

Albion would still have to persuade the much-travelled 31-year-old to drop two divisions by returning south.

The Seagulls' former centre forward Chris McPhee has signed for League Two side Torquay United.