9:30am Saturday 20th March 2010
By Andy Naylor
Tommy Elphick is relieved not to be sweating about his Albion future.
Club stalwarts like Michel Kuipers, Nicky Forster and Adam Virgo are among a number of players out of contract at the end of the season.
Elphick still has more than two years left, seeing him through to Falmer which he drives past every day from his home in Woodingdean.
The centre half said: “It was effectively a four year contract and I was one of the first players to be contracted into the stadium as well.
“I have got another two years and driving past it every day is a massive incentive to be here.
“I am very lucky to be in that position and feel very privileged. They made a big deal out of that at the time and that is something I owe to Dick Knight (former chairman).”
Elphick, ever-present in the league since mid-September, has returned to top form after a sticky start to the season.
“When you have got something like that contract behind you it can go one of two ways,” he said.
“Maybe at first I lost a little bit of form this season and was a bit comfortable or what ever.
“I am certainly back into the swing of things now and enjoying my football again and buzzing with a bit of confidence. It's amazing what confidence can do for you.”
Meanwhile, Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, targeted by Albion as loan cover for broken finger victim Michel Kuipers, has been borrowed by Sheffield United.
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