Albion manager Mark McGhee has strengthened his squad for the start of the Coca-Cola Championship with a double signing.

Midfielders Darren Currie and Alexis Nicolas go straight into the squad for tomorrow's opening game at Reading.

Former Wycombe and Barnet wide man Currie, 29, has been given a one-year contract.

Central midfielder Nicolas, 21, has joined the Seagulls from Chelsea on a three-month loan.

They bring the number of new faces to four following the captures of 22-year-old striker Maheta Molango and 19-year-old winger Albert Jarrett.

McGhee has been impressed by both players during pre-season trials and is backing Currie to shrug off his enigmatic reputation.

"There is no doubt he has the ability, the vision, the range of passing," McGhee said.

"At the same time he has got to do a job within the team which allows us to win matches. We cannot afford him to be a luxury and if he is going to be then he won't be here for long.

"He has got to find another dimension to his game. We are waiting to see, but we like his skills and his attitude since coming here.

"He's worked hard and deserves his chance."

Currie, Wycombe's second top scorer last season before leaving the relegated club by mutual consent, admitted: "It's a relief. I have been here on trial for a fortnight and it's been hard.

"The training has been good, enjoyable but hard, as it always is pre-season. Now I have got what I wanted, so I am well pleased.

"The gaffer has singled out what he believes I need to improve on and in all my career he is the first manager that has taken the chance to help me with that side of the game."

Nicolas, the son of Greek-Cypriots, has a year left on his contract at Chelsea.

"Alexis has grown on us day in and day out and I think he is a player with a lot of potential in the Charlie Oatway mould," McGhee said. "Having played at the top level he has seen good players and played with good players. I think he is capable of learning and I think he will improve our squad."

Nicolas, a former Aston Villa trainee, made two Premiership appearances for Chelsea last season and another in the FA Cup under previous Blues boss Claudio Ranieri.

"It's extremely difficult at Chelsea. It's frustrating as well as a young player," Nicolas said. "What can you do when you are up against the likes of Frank Lampard, Scott Parker and Claude Makelele?

"You can't really go knocking on the manager's door to ask why you are not playing.

"I was lucky enough to play a few games. I must admit it's a fantastic feeling and once you've had that feeling you just want it back again. Hopefully I can achieve that with Brighton."