ALBION boss Chris Hughton still wants to sign another striker and a left-back as he plots a more central role for Sam Baldock.

Hughton has hailed the captures of Israeli No.9 Tomer Hemed from Almeria and ex-Hull full-back Liam Rosenior as a "good start" to the Seagulls' summer recruitment as the players report back today for pre-season but stressed: "We have got more work to do."

That includes another front man and a left-back, a role Rosenior occupied sometimes at Hull although he is more naturally a right-back.

Hughton, referring to the continuing striker search, told The Argus: "We have got to think about what we've lost. Leon Best went back (to Blackburn) and we've lost Craig Mackail-Smith (released). That is an area where I want to have good options.

"The good thing is Sam Baldock has had a good summer as regards his recovery. But we have identified the area we needed to improve last season was the final third and we still need to make sure we strengthen as much as we can.

"We still want to bring in a left-back, because we've lost Joe Bennett. Liam gives us competition in both of those positions (left and right-back). With Bruno and Calde it gives us really good competition in the full-back area."

Baldock will be eased back into pre-season after the cruciate knee ligament damage he sustained against Derby at the Amex in March.

Hughton used him more often than not on the left-wing but plans to deploy the former Bristol City marksman in his more favoured central role in a forward line with extra scope following the signing of Hemed.

Hughton said: "Hemed is a number nine that has played as the lone striker or as one of a two up front. He has that flexibility, which is good. "Generally I like to go with a form of two. There will be games where I'll go with two out and out strikers and games with somebody a little bit deeper off the striker. What I really want is to be able to have those options.

"I see Sam Baldock as a central player. What he has given us is a little bit of versatility. At times, if we decided to go with a 4-3-3, he gives us that flexibility but I see him prodominantly as a central striker."

Hughton's remarks will be welcomed by fans, many of whom have been crying out for Albion to operate with two central strikers on a more regular basis.