ALBION have ended the season with an injury crisis in the centre of defence.

Tommy Elphick, pictured below, was stretchered off early in the second half of Saturday’s closing 1-1 draw at Notts County.

Elphick went down innocuously inside the Seagulls' penalty area.

Manager Gus Poyet said: “We need to have a look at him. It could be the bottom of the calf or top of the Achilles tendon.”

Elphick has been deputising for player of the season Adam El-Abd, who has a stress fracture of the left foot.

El-Abd’s foot is in a protective boot, which will be removed next month, but he will still be on crutches when he walks up the aisle to get married.

Albion are hopeful rest, rather than an operation, will repair the damage. Poyet said: “I don’t think he will need surgery.”

Poyet is relieved a memorable campaign for Albion is over. “We’ve got Tommy with an injury now,” he added. “We were risking a few yellows or reds so I was desperate for the game to finish and make sure we are nice and safe for next year.

“I set us a target of 92 points to be champions and we’ve got 95, better than I expected.”