Gus Poyet believes Craig Mackail-Smith’s shock decision to join Albion could prompt other transfer targets to follow suit.

The Seagulls’ chief hopes to clinch further deals this week following the club’s audacious £2.5 million capture of the Peterborough goalscorer.

Poyet is after another striker, a cover centre-half and at least one more midfielder. He also wants to inject more pace into the squad and is aiming to get most, if not all, of the transfer business completed before Albion head for Portugal on July 17.

Mackail-Smith’s decision to snub West Ham and Leicester and join the Seagulls could be the catalyst for other potential signings to make their minds up.

Poyet told The Argus: “I thought we had a chance of getting him but I was worried about how late it could happen.

“I’m really pleased it has happened so early because now it has completely changed our whole summer.

“The rest of the players I am looking for know now where we are going, what we are doing and want to achieve. It’s up to them to show the same commitment as Craig has showed me.

“I think we will probably go for one more striker, a centre-half, one or two more midfielders and pace. We are working on it. I am sure that this week we are going to have one or two more for sure after this.

“I think it’s quite clear now we need to start moving and making sure we get the squad before we go to Portugal.”

Mackail-Smith trained with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday. Poyet reckons the wide expanses of The Amex pitch will suit his all-action style of play and that signing the 27-year-old in a four-year deal means Albion will see the best of him.

“On that pitch he is going to be amazing, so we need to make sure we use him the right way from the first minute, helping the other players to understand his game,” Poyet said. “That’s my job and that’s not a problem but I need to make sure it happens.

“He’s a great lad. The information we got from day one is that he is a great professional. He plays all the time and never complains.

“The age he is at is supposed to be your best time. You are not young but you are not old. You are experienced enough and you know the game, so I think it’s absolutely perfect.

“We’ve got a great four years ahead. I want to keep growing and getting better and this gives me the perfect start to keep getting better and be a solid team in the Championship.”