Guy Butters is poised for long-distance talks with manager Mark McGhee which will keep him at Albion beyond his 35th birthday.

The rejuvenated central defender flew out to Majorca yesterday for a family holiday, safe in the knowledge that he will be with the promoted Seagulls in the First Division next season.

Butters, Adam Virgo, Nathan Jones, Chris Iwelumo and Paul Reid have all been offered new contracts of at least a year.

The former Portsmouth and Gillingham stopper, 35 in October, revealed: "I will be speaking on the phone to the manager while I am abroad.

"Obviously it depends on if we can agree on the financial side of things, but I am more than chuffed."

Butters credits McGhee for helping transform him from a target of supporters' derision into their player of the season with dietary advice and extra training.

"When he came in he found ways of taking me onto another level," Butters said. "It was trivial really, just eating the right food at the right times, but it is probably the biggest change anyone has ever made to me.

"As soon as I took it on board I felt lighter and fitter and I don't see any reason why I cannot carry my form into the First Division.

"We are only off for about four weeks, so I will not lose much fitness in that time and we have got a good understanding at the back, even though we know it will be a lot harder next year and we will be up against better players."

Meanwhile, an announcement is imminent from the Football League about the re-branding of the First Division under new sponsors Coca-Cola, who are replacing Nationwide.