Albion signed nine players last summer to get themselves back to the right end of the Championship table.

Chris Hughton needs to make fewer changes this time.

He has a good base to build on after the Seagulls went so close to promotion, but there are still some significant gaps to fill.

GOALKEEPERS

David Stockdale had a fine campaign after an inconsistent first season with the club.

Niki Maenpaa, assuming he re-signs, provides competent and experienced back-up.

Retaining Casper Ankergren as a senior No.3, academy coach and dressing room influence gives scope to send Christian Walton back out on loan to broaden his education.

Verdict: Well-equipped between the posts under the expert supervision of coach Ben Roberts.

FULL-BACKS

Bruno, Gaetan Bong and Liam Rosenior offer a good blend of high-level experience, dependability, energy and technical ability.

The Argus: Bruno (above) established a formidable, right-sided alliance with Anthony Knockaert following the Frenchman's arrival in January.

The Spaniard, still in supreme shape for his age, will be 36 in October, so Albion will have to address finding a replacement. The question is how soon?

Rosenior can operate on either side and they will be hoping under-21s graduate Rob Hunt maintains the progress which has earned him a new contract.

Verdict: Pretty well off, as long as there is no repeat of the long-term injury problems suffered by Bong and Rosenior.

CENTRAL DEFENDERS

Lewis Dunk and Connor Goldson could develop into an outstanding partnership for years to come, judging by the way they performed together in the second half of the season.

Uwe Huenemeier's fitness is a concern. The German did not feature at all after December.

A replacement has to be found for long-serving skipper Gordon Greer.

Liam Ridgewell, who had a sound spell on loan at the turn of the year, could fit the bill. He is keen on a return to England from MLS outfit Portland Timbers and his defensive versatility would be a bonus.

Tom Dallison, like Hunt from the under-21s, has an opportunity to press his claims.

Verdict: A couple of gems in Dunk and Goldson. Work to be done otherwise.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD

So much depends on keeping hold of Beram Kayal and Dale Stephens.

If they stay then Albion will again have one of the best, if not the best, engine rooms in the Championship.

Steve Sidwell did enough on and off the pitch during his spell on loan from Stoke to be worthy, with his pedigree, of serious consideration.

Irishman Richie Towell, with the benefit of a pre-season, will be pushing hard to be in the mix.

Andrew Crofts has been released and Rohan Ince, Jake Forster-Caskey and Danny Holla are all likely to leave, so one or two signings will be a must.

Verdict: Albion were too dependent on Kayal and Stephens last season. Meaningful competition and cover is required to cater for injuries, suspensions and the gruelling demands of the division.

WINGERS

There will be a few envious glances in Hughton's direction.

Anthony Knockaert and Jiri Skalak (below) were both pivotal to the promotion push in open play, from set plays and in goalscoring.

The Argus: More can be expected from both in their first full seasons, especially Skalak as a newcomer to the rigours of the English game.

Hughton also has the galloping Jamie Murphy and the explosive Kazenga LuaLua. That is without mentioning the gifted Solly March, on course to return from the serious knee damage he suffered in December.

Verdict: A big tick.

STRIKERS

The area which will define optimism levels for another assault on automatic promotion.

Tomer Hemed did as well as could be expected in his debut season, all things considered.

Sam Baldock's attributes in the second tier do not include goalscoring. With Bobby Zamora gone, Chris O'Grady and Elvis Manu both misfits, the bar needs raising with quality additions virtually guaranteeing goals.

Glenn Murray would more than compensate for Zamora's departure and Albion did not see the best of on-loan James Wilson, who is highly-rated at Manchester United and was wanted by numerous clubs.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for him at Old Trafford now that Jose Mourinho is in charge.

Verdict: Another Ulloa could make all the difference.