It was a fitting way for it to end.

Leo Ulloa headed Albion briefly back into contention in their penultimate match of the season at champions Manchester City.

The Argentinian's 24th league goal for the club, spread across two spells, came on his 60th and almost certainly valedictory appearance.

You never say never but Ulloa is unlikely to wear the blue and white stripes again. There is no appetite to bring him back for a third stint next season.

Indeed, there are no plans at present to make a further addition to the strike force following the capture of long-time target Florin Andone.

Definitive statements are dangerous during any transfer window.

Circumstances can change quickly - injuries, unexpected offers for players, deals sparking other deals.

Nevertheless, as things stand, there is no room for Ulloa in Albion's second season planning.

Bringing the target man back from Leicester on loan for the rest of the season at the end of the January transfer window made sense.

The Argus: Jurgen Locadia (above) was still recovering at that stage from the hamstring injury that accompanied his record £14 million move from PSV Eindhoven.

Albion were still vulnerable to relegation when Ulloa returned - two points and two places above the relegation zone after one win in 13 games.

They needed competition for Glenn Murray. Ulloa was a good fit.

It worked as well, although not quite in the way that Ulloa would have wished.

Starved of game time at Leicester, his galvanising contribution was masked by only two starts, eight substitute appearances and that solitary goal at the Etihad.

Two fresh faces in the dressing room were timely. From the moment that Locadia and Ulloa were on board together, Albion and Murray rediscovered their form.

The Seagulls embarked on a crucial five-match unbeaten run, yielding 11 points and concluding with the memorable victory at the Amex over Arsenal.

Murray, after coming off the bench to pinch a fortuitous late winner at Middlesbrough in the FA Cup (below), scored five times during this period.

The Argus: The short-term move for Ulloa served a purpose. Now another traditional No.9 well into his thirties, on a longer term basis, carries less appeal.

Particularly with Andone finally landed and Locadia embarking on his first full season in England.

Andone is a No.9 too but a different type, more of an all-rounder.

He matches Albion's DNA as a hard-working team player, with pace to run in behind and stretch defences.

This will be especially important away from home, where Albion struggled, posing more of a threat on the counter-attack and pressing to regain possession.

Andone can operate alone through the middle or as part of a pair.

Chris Hughton now has a good variety of options up front in Andone, Murray and Locadia.

The Dutchman is more versatile. Most of his appearances so far have been out wide.

The first five months will have helped Locadia adapt and, with the benefit of a full pre-season, Albion will be hoping the glimpses of attacking incision will turn into something more substantial.

The greater flexibility at Hughton's disposal with the addition of Andone is important not just in terms of the starting eleven but also the capacity to change games from the bench.

The Argus: Sam Baldock (above) could still have a role to play as well, depending on how he sees his future.

He endured a frustrating campaign after calf trouble sidelined him until October. The mobile 29-year-old made only two appearances in the Premier League.

Baldock still has two years left on the contract he signed last summer. He featured in the matchday squad in the second half of the season much more than Tomer Hemed.

The Israeli No.9's future, as with Ulloa, appears to lie away from Albion. Like last summer, he will attract plenty of Championship interest.