Chris Hughton believes Albion fans might have to be patient in their wait for more signings.

But he is happy with the groundwork being put in behind the scenes as the Seagulls plan a promotion push.

Hughton has added Steve Sidwell to his squad and has a pair of strikers high on the list to replace Bobby Zamora and James Wilson.

He told The Argus: “I think we are happy with where we are.

“As you will find with most recruitment that goes through, generally not too much happens early in the summer.

“We know targets but, as always, knowing targets and getting them are two different things.

“What we know is that we don’t need to bring in the levels we brought in last year, when we brought in nine players plus two in January.”

Hughton wants a variety of player in attack to compete with Tomer Hemed and Sam Baldock.

He said: “Hemed and Baldock did very well for us last season but we are two players light so I don’t think it is any surprise we are looking to strengthen up front.

“Elvis Manu came in and can play up front or in a wide area but it was a very difficult season for him. We want people we feel can improve us and give us good options up front.

“In Bobby and James, we had two very different types of player. What you want from your front players is to have different types and a bit of scope.

“We need to make sure we recruit well in that area.”

Hughton has welcomed the clear message sent out by chief executive Paul Barber that Albion will do all they can to keep their best players after turning down a bid for Lewis Dunk.

He said: “To be able to put ourselves in a position again where we can challenge for promotion, we have got to be keeping our best players and we need to be improving ourselves.

“If anything, with the three who have come down, it is going to be a stronger division.

“So that is the message - we are looking to keep our best players and hopefully add to it as opposed to letting anybody go.”